Giant selfie sign for the Instagram age launched in Hemsby

The giant, colourful letters in Beach Road are part of a package of investment in the village styling itself as an eco-resort full of the latest gadgetry.

It was given the official seal of approval on Tuesday (August 16) as Graham Plant mayor of Great Yarmouth, dressed in ceremonial robes for the occasion, posed in front of the artwork alongside civic dignitaries, officials, and leading Hemsby figures from the lifeboat and tourism sphere.

Graham Plant, mayor of Great Yarmouth, with the new large Hemsby sign. (Image: Denise Bradley/Archant 2022)

Mr Plant hailed the importance of Hemsby to the local economy, tagging it "truly thriving".

He said: "It is literally a small sign - especially compared to its glittering 17m cousin just down the road - but the two represent something much more."

He went on to praise eco-friendly measures including the bottleship sculpture, Hemsby community fridge and "intelligent" recycling bins that compact rubbish and tell collectors when they are full under the FACET project.

"Working together we can make a sustainable and successful future for the home-grown tourism, for our residents and our visitors, and for our children and their children.

Mayor Graham Plant has paid tribute to the Queen (Image: Denise Bradley/Archant 2022)

"That may start with snapping them in a selfie here, but can lead to so much more."

Justin Ettridge, park and customer experience manager at Hemsby Beach Holiday Park, speaks at the unveiling of the new large Hemsby sign. (Image: Denise Bradley/Archant 2022)

Justin Ettridge, customer experience manager at Richardson's, which has provided and landscaped the sign's setting, said it had "really lifted" the village and Beach Road.

"It has been a real attraction," he said.

"We have seen lots of visitors having their photo with it and the colours are great.

Graham Plant, mayor of Great Yarmouth, places a bottle in the new boat bottle bank in Hemsby. With him are members of the Hemsby Lifeboat crew, from left, Tom Hurley, volunteer; Kevin Fenn, crew; Alan Jones, second coxswain; and Chris Batten, helmsman. (Image: Denise Bradley/Archant 2022)

"It has definitely put Hemsby on the map and given it a bit of sparkle."

The metal sign which is 1.5m tall, 7m wide and sits on a 40cm plinth has been paid for by the Government's Welcome Back fund with Richardson's supplying the site.

The new Sea Weaver boat bottle bank at Hemsby. (Image: Denise Bradley/Archant 2022)

The unveiling was also an opportunity to officially open Richardson's new Coastal Cafe in Beach Road in traditional style with a ribbon cutting.

The mayor was then given a tour of the new recycling measures including the Hemsby re-usable cup scheme which aims to cut down on waste from takeaway drinks.

Any businesses wanting to get involved with circular economy scheme FACET should contact benjamin.gulliver@great-yarmouth.gov.uk