Major investment into a town centre's regeneration is being hailed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity amid challenging high street pressures.
Wymondham Town Council unanimously agreed this week to provide £250,000 from its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) - made through housing developments in the town.
It is hoped South Norfolk Council will bolster the fund through its CIL payments from developers and the sale of the former town council base in Middleton Street but it is yet to confirm how much it will invest.
Tony Holden, Conservative district councillor and town councillor, said he hoped the consultation on how the cash can be spent could be done early this year.
He said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
"High streets all over the country are struggling because shopping habits have changed. This money puts the town in a position where it is ready for the future."
District councillor Jack Hornby, who also represents the town for the Conservatives, said: "With online shopping and Amazon, it is going to have an impact on the high street.
"Wymondham has been hit hard and lost a lot of shops over the years.
"The main aim is to up footfall in the town centre."
But he added that Covid had provided a "golden opportunity" for market towns.
READ MORE: HSBC bank in Wymondham could become restaurant after closing
Mr Hornby said the Wymondham scheme was based on the successful project to upgrade Harleston town centre with £1m - a combination of town council, district council and Norfolk County Council cash.
Town councillor Richard Elliott said it would be important for thousands of pounds to be invested in making the town centre greener, to boost seating and help people walk around safely through wider pavements.
He added: "The money will help Wymondham become a destination of choice."
The consultation is expected to look at parking, public transport and accessibility, among many other areas.
Town councillor Kim Carsok said: "I am keen to see improvements to accessibility. I am a mother using a pushchair regularly and it shouldn’t be a decision of whether I push my baby into the road to get round an elderly person with a frame, or they walk in the road to allow me to pass."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here