TWO brothers are carrying on the family tradition of business on Felixstowe seafront - and launching their first venture at the resort.

TWO brothers are carrying on the family tradition of business on Felixstowe seafront - and launching their first venture at the resort.

Charlie Manning Junior, 31, and his brother Johnny, 29, are continuing the family dynasty which was started by their grandfather Charles Manning when he started the resort's amusement park more than 60 years ago.

Their father, also Charles, started in the family business at an early age and took over the funfair in Sea Road when his dad died.

Now the young brothers, who have extensive experience in the catering trade in London, are taking over the running of The Sands Bar at the amusement park, giving it a makeover and trying to inject new life into the southern end of the seaside town.

The pair have been joined by Mick Amass, well-known in Felixstowe as he used to manage the Bandbox nightclub and Splitz bar, to manage the new bar and restaurant along with the Q Pool Club above the arcade.

Mr Manning Jnr said The Sands Bar would open today and the trio had high hopes it would provide a much needed added attraction to the seafront.

“This end of the seafront has not had much entertainment since La Plage closed and the nightclub we used to have above the arcade finished,” he said.

“We are aiming to provide for visitors and people who live here. We will start off in a limited way through the winter and then open more fully once the summer months arrive and more people are out and about.

“We think it will be a great addition to Felixstowe's bars and restaurants - offering full breakfasts, grills, lunches, dinners, coffee and cake in the daytime, and a small but specific beers, spirits, wine and cocktail list.”

The brothers, who ran a bar and restaurant in Shaftesbury Avenue in London's West End and plan to bring a little of that style to Suffolk, say there will be karaoke, music and entertainment at the venue.

What new attractions would you like to see on Felixstowe seafront? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk