FEARS were voiced today that the Spa Pavilion could deteriorate fast now that the building is closed up and empty.

Mayor Mike Deacon is worried that problems with the venue could be left to fester – and get worse if no action is taken.

He said the roof had been leaking during the run of the panto Aladdin, and with no-one now working in the seafront building, further such problems could take hold quickly and cause serious damage without day-to-day maintenance and repairs.

“The roof has been a problem for sometime and my worry is that if the problems occur again and there is no-one there, it might not be spotted, won’t be dealt with and the fabric of the building will begin to deteriorate,” said Mr Deacon.

“Two or three months of being empty could make a big difference to a building like that.

“My real fear though is that it won’t re-open again. The council could be talking to someone but we are not hearing anything to encourage us.”

The council has had �77,000 in its budget for roof repairs and �15,000 towards new windows and doors for the Spa but the money has now been deleted.

A spokesman for Suffolk Coastal council said councillor Geoff Holdcroft, cabinet member for leisure and economic development, had personally assured Mr Deacon that everything would be done to secure the building and not allow any of the fixtures and fittings to deteriorate while agents Jones Lang LaSalle continue with the task of finding someone to take on the Spa.

“The roof has already been repaired and should not now be leaking, but this too will of course be routinely checked,” he added.