COMMUNITY leaders at Felixstowe today insisted the resort was not part of the decline and fall of seaside towns - and is on the up.MPs are urging government to do more to improve the economies and quality of life in some of England's most run-down seaside towns.
By Richard Cornwell
COMMUNITY leaders at Felixstowe today insisted the resort was not part of the decline and fall of seaside towns - and is on the up.
MPs are urging government to do more to improve the economies and quality of life in some of England's most run-down seaside towns.
The House of Commons local government committee said many coastal communities had poor housing and influxes of elderly people put pressure on social services.
In some of the poorest resorts, the MPs added, the economy must develop beyond the low-wage, seasonal tourism trade.
But Doreen Savage, who has chaired Felixstowe's resort regeneration group and is a keen tourism campaigner, said the Suffolk town had escaped the woes which had befallen other resorts.
Mrs Savage, a town and district councillor said: “I don't think Felixstowe is in decline at all.
“Overall, I think we have a lot to offer all year round to visitors and residents.
“Many of the comments made by the MPs apply to those resorts where seasonal tourism is the main part of the economy, where there have been problems of immigration and DSS people taking up all hotel accommodation, and other problems.
“We don't have that here in Felixstowe. We have not suffered that kind of downturn and we have a lot which is great and which we should be thankful for.
“That is not to say we don't have problem areas, and we are always looking forward, looking for improvements.”
The new Felixstowe Futures Group is looking at the regeneration of the resort, possible provision of new attractions, and other schemes, working to generate grant aid from a variety of sources.
She added: “I don't mind admitting I am green with envy at Southwold's pier and what a marvellous attraction that is - and I have asked the futures group to look at what we can do with our pier to see if we can offer something similar.”
What improvements do you think Felixstowe needs? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk
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