RAISING the millions of pounds needed to create a new-look Felixstowe will be the biggest problem facing the town - but those behind the regeneration of the resort are confident they will succeed.

RAISING the millions of pounds needed to create a new-look Felixstowe will be the biggest problem facing the town - but those behind the regeneration of the resort are confident they will succeed.

Over the weekend people in the town had the chance to see the 27 exciting projects put forward to reshape the resort for the future.

The two-day exhibition at Felixstowe Leisure Centre highlighted potential development of rundown sites, creation of a landmark tower with panoramic sea views, a lift and stairs at the end of Hamilton Road to link the town and seafront and make access between the two easier, and revamping the gardens and building new winter gardens.

Other suggestions include a New Triangle to provide a vibrant setting with a café and open-air performance area, seating and a water feature to make it the jewel in the crown of the resort and heart of the town.

Project director Lawrence Revill said: “People have been very interested in the ideas, although there have been mixed feelings about some - especially whether the modern approach to Felixstowe is right or whether it should be a more traditional feeling.

“The biggest question for people is how do you make it happen and we don't have the complete answers to that yet.

“Some of the issues we have identified are development sites and there is a lot of developer interest in Felixstowe at the moment and hopefully some of them will come forward and we hope our ideas guide them in the right direction.

“Other schemes may need some public money or from a wide variety of other sources, including the lottery. With many of those sources you need to show a project is part of a bigger initiative and these schemes will be part of the overall regeneration.

“Ideally, what we are looking from here at the exhibition is for the public to help us identify by popular demand six or eight schemes which we can then take forward, design in detail and cost and then seek funding.”

Mr Revill said the first priority was to produce a future Felixstowe which was attractive for people to live in and to visit, but the town also needed to shout louder about itself now as it already has a lot to offer.

What do you think of the ideas to regenerate Felixstowe for the 21st century? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk.