VIDEO Builders are at work in almost every part of one of Felixstowe's most prominent properties - giving it a makeover which will create a real community asset.

BUILDERS are at work in almost every part of one of Felixstowe's most prominent properties - giving it a makeover which will create a real community asset.

For the past 34 years the Town Hall on the seafront saw no investment at all from its previous owners Suffolk Coastal other than routine maintenance.

Now Felixstowe Town Council has bought the Victorian building, work has began at once to turn it into the resort's jewel - a modern place for wedding celebrations, exhibitions, public meetings and events, and a hub for the civic side of the resort's life.

If under the reorganisation of local government Felixstowe gets extra powers, it now has the offices and space to carry those out.

Mike Stokell, chairman of the town members committee which is masterminding the £500,000 project, said work on the Town Hall in Undercliff Road West was long overdue.

“We want to make the building accessible for everyone - and so a major part of the project is putting in place access for people with disabilities,” he said.

“But we also wanted to modernise and create proper space for the people who work here and for the community to use.

Creating access for people with disabilities has been a difficult part of the project - being carried out by Felixstowe firm Drake and Plant Ltd - because the building has different levels.

Wheelchair access has been created at the side, with a lift to the first floor, plus stair lifts.

Give us your views on the Town Hall project - write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk

FASTFACTS: Felixstowe Town Hall

The Town Hall was built in 1892 and was home to Felixstowe Urban District Council until 1974 when Felixstowe Town Council was created.

The council has 16 members - 11 Conservative, four Liberal Democrats and one Labour - and is led by a mayor, currently Mike Deacon.

It runs the allotments, and provides Broadway House senior citizens' centre and Walton Community Hall, runs the youth forum, Felixstowe in Flower, and gives grants to organisations.

It is the voice of the resort on many issues - campaigning for the best for Felixstowe and representing the town on a wide range of different bodies.

Its highways and libraries partnerships with the county council have been praised as ground-breaking, and it is also involved in resort regeneration, town centre management, and play area and leisure provision.