Norfolk's Prosecco Ghetto fizzing with anger over new council boundary |
And locals in Wells-next-the-Sea have never much thought of themselves as natural neighbours to the neon-lights of Great Yarmouth.
But following a once-in-a-generation local government shake up, the two towns are soon set to reside under the same political roof.
Wells, in the north west of Norfolk, has been placed in the new East Norfolk Council, one of three authorities - along with West Norfolk and Greater Norwich - which will take over the running of the county from 2028.
Wells-next-the-Sea has a population of around 2,200 (Image: Henry Durand)
It is the boundaries of East Norfolk Council which has raised the most eyebrows.
The horseshoe-shaped authority is likely to be based in Great Yarmouth and wraps around Great Norwich, taking in towns like Diss in the south and extending in the north as far as Fakenham and Wells.
The town is 45 miles from Yarmouth, a distance which takes an hour and 20 minutes to drive.
On the other hand, King's Lynn, which is likely to be the base for West Norfolk, is just 20 miles away, with some questioning whether the western council might have been a better berth for Wells.
Wells has been placed in the sprawling, horseshoe shaped East Norfolk authority (Image: Future Norfolk)
Some have questioned why it was not placed in the West (Image: Future Norfolk)
They wonder if Wells might be overlooked in the new authority, which may lack understanding of its special demands, as a second home hotspot different in character to Cromer and Sheringham, let alone Yarmouth.
"Wells has its own character, its own identity," said Claire Bowden, 53, who runs a garden shop in the town.
"We're just going to be a number. If my bins are full, who do I complain to? Go to Yarmouth?
Claire Bowden, 53 (Image: Henry Durand)
“There's probably one person on reception who's got to deal with 70,000 problems. It's nearly two hours away - what do they know about what's happening in Wells?"
“It's bad now - it's going to get worse."
That sense of distance has sharpened fears that prevalent issues in the town will worsen under the new authority.
More than 40pc of the homes in the town are estimated to be second homes or holiday lets.
This brings advantages, in terms of the tourism it brings, but also challenges, with the town feeling hollowed-out in the off-peak months and house prices out of reach for many locals.
North Norfolk District Council, which currently oversees Wells, has implemented a council tax premium on second homes to tackle the issue.
A view from the town's harbour (Image: Henry Durand)
Katie Moore, 41, said: "Being rural is so hard for a lot of people. We hit the target for those who are wealthy, but for those who actually live here, it's hard to make ends meet.
"Some areas are probably looked after more than others. It would be nice if it was more even."
Robert Mickleburgh, 27, a worker at one of the town’s fish shops, said he was forced to move out of the home he was renting so his landlord could renovate it and sell it as a second home.
Ella Daly, 18, and Robert Mickleburgh, 27 (Image: Henry Durand)
"I had a house just down the road. We had it for a year, which was great, and then the landlord sold it. Now it's being renovated into a second home," he said.
“The town feels quiet in winter and then just crazy in summer. It's a weird place to live."
A café worker, who declined to be named, said the new council would strip the town of what little local representation it currently has.
"We just become a number - it'll just merge us into one.
“Keep things as they are with North Norfolk Council. It's working. Great Yarmouth or King’s Lynn is completely different."
However not everyone is opposed.
Graham Lee, 54, a local painter, said he was firmly in favour.
Graham Lee, 54 (Image: Henry Durand)
"I'm proper up for it. A bigger council with more money, less fat - I'm all for change. It's going to be teething at first, but they're bringing new stuff in. I think it's good."
"People don't like change, do they? But change can be positive."