The Felixstowe Spa Pavilion.
Felixstowe: Time to send the bulldozers to the Spa!
By Matthew Tacket
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
1:56 PM
AS a youngster I went to many events at the Spa Pavilion – but it’s probably a decade since I last went to anything there and by then it already struck me as well past its sell-by date.
While I can understand the determination of those who have tried to save it and find a new operator prepared to spend millions on bringing the building into the 21st century, we have to face the fact it has now closed and look to the future.
And as workers start boarding up the building, my message is simple – send in the bulldozers!
What is going to happen to the site as things stand? The building is going to be left empty and festering for years as well-meaning groups wring their hands and talk about re-opening it – talk that is wholly unrealistic.
It would cost millions to turn the Spa into a modern venue. We are in a recession and those millions are not available.
The voters of Suffolk Coastal have shown time and again that they’re more keen on paying low council tax bills than they are on subsidising a seaside theatre whose audience has largely disappeared.
If the building is left empty it will become the haunt of drug users, and will frankly become a blight on the Seafront Gardens which are going to get a multi-million revamp thanks to the lottery.
My solution is simple – clear the site and replace the grotty old Spa Pavilion with something that might actually enhance the area.
Something like the new Aurora restaurant on the Orwell Quay at Ipswich Waterfront.
What is needed in the middle of the attractive gardens is a stunning cafe/restaurant with room for outside tables in the spring and summer and possibly an outdoor performance area.
That would be much cheaper than trying to squeeze more out of the tired old Spa – and would be far more attractive to visitors to the resort.
I know people in Felixstowe would like to see a 300-seat theatre created somewhere, and that would be a great long-term ambition somewhere in the town.
But it’s not realistic at the Spa in near future – and that site is far too important to be left derelict for years.
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5 comments
Well, well, who's in the council's pocket then Mr Tacket.?.....it's been blindingly obvious all along that such a plan was the ulterior motive behind a biased and shoddily run sales process. Judging by the other comments here, Suffolk Coastal has got away with it yet again....whatever happened to the notion of transparent and accountable local government?
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paul
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
What other (feasible) option is there ? Totally agree with Matthew and RC, times up, time to take a bow and go.
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The original Victor Meldrew
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Oh how I agree. They are doing up the Fludyers and it will look great. Knock the Spa down and maki a great restaurant for people to meet. The same thing will happen to the Spa as what happened to the Hearn De Stern. It will get burnt down.
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biggles the pilot
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
I couldnt disagree more in all honesty i was there November and myself and my family had a lovely experience what a beautiful venue, such a shame to lose it :(
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Sammie Hamblin
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Matthew Tacket, I couldn't agree more. The place has been very old hat for many years and I'm surprised it's managed to struggle on for as long as it has. Out with the old and in with the new.
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RC
Tuesday, January 22, 2013