Landmark development in Felixstowe enters final phase - Barnes Construction

As part of ongoing investment in Felixstowe’s South Seafront, the development of a new iconic café is entering the final phase.

Work started on the landmark building in August last year and is due to be completed late this summer.

Once finished, the café will play a key role in helping the town as it starts recovering from the impact of Covid-19, attracting local people and visitors alike by offering indoor and outdoor dining with unspoilt views of the seafront. This will not only support tourism, but it will also help the economy by offering local employment opportunities, making the South Seafront an exciting place to visit, live, work and invest.

The ambitious project is being delivered by East Suffolk Council, Barnes Construction, the Dedham Boathouse Group, Plaice Design, Superstructures and Gill Associates.

This week, Cllr Steve Gallant, Leader of East Suffolk Council and local ward member for Eastern Felixstowe, Cllr Craig Rivett, cabinet member for Economic Development, and Cllr Steve Wiles, local ward member for Eastern Felixstowe visited the site for the first time since the easing of national restrictions. All were excited to see the progress of the development and happy that work has been able to continue despite the pandemic.

In a joint statement they said: “Despite the ongoing challenges we have all faced due to Covid-19, we are grateful that work is able to continue on this development, which will transform the South Seafront for years to come, ensuring it is a thriving place where people want to go, meet and spend their money.”

The £1.5 million project is funded by East Suffolk Council and the Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) which was launched in 2012 to promote sustainable economic growth and jobs in coastal areas. CCF awarded the Council £950,000 grant funding which enabled the project to go ahead. Additional funding of £30,000 was also awarded from the Coastal Revival Fund.
Mark Hart, Joint Managing Director at Barnes Construction, said: “Through the delivery of yet another exceptional scheme, Barnes is delighted to be playing its part in shaping the landscape of this popular seaside town. I have no doubt that when completed, this iconic café will prove to be a very successful attraction to both the people of Felixstowe and its many visitors.”

Photos:  Warren Page Pagepix