CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Felixstowe’s seafront theatre from closure have today launched a fundraising drive to raise cash to secure its future.

The steering committee set up to form a trust to bid to take over the Spa Pavilion is organising a range of events to pay for maintenance and extra equipment.

The Ipswich Star launched a Save Our Spa campaign after councillors announced they were withdrawing funding for the venue.

Campaigner and actress Suzie Lowe said: “We were obviously overjoyed by and grateful for the council’s decision to keep the theatre open a further six months but the Spa is in dire need of funds to make the necessary improvements to make it more commercially viable.”

Fellow steering group member Lisa Hardy said: “The Spa is a fantastic theatre but without some major improvements and more money for a heightened level of marketing, it just won’t attract certain productions crucial to its future success.

“As a significant community hub for Felixstowe and the surrounding areas, the steering group felt it could make the Spa the central focus for really different and exciting events, theatrical and non-theatrical, which can pull the community together and make much-needed money for the theatre.”

The team has planned a programme of shows and events it claims will attract wider audiences and attract new interest in the theatre and, following meetings with the management, will be placed among the Spa’s scheduled programme.

Events include murder mystery dinners, a burlesque casino evening, jazz cabarets, quiz, DJ and comedy nights and music festivals and fundraising variety shows.

Miss Lowe said: “I’m fortunate in as much as I’m friends or I have worked with some big names in show business, many of which have expressed an interest in supporting the Spa and appearing in some of the events such as the music festival and jazz nights.”

The first event will see buskers entertaining outside the Spa on May 6.

? Do you want to see the Spa saved? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN, or email starletters@archant.co.uk