TRADERS in Felixstowe are launching a new website to increase awareness of the Victorian seaside resort - and bring in more visitors to enjoy its attractions.

TRADERS in Felixstowe are launching a new website to increase awareness of the Victorian seaside resort - and bring in more visitors to enjoy its attractions.

Under the banner of “sun spot of the east coast”, the Visit Felixstowe site, which is due to be launched in April, will include information on attractions, eating out, events, accommodation, entertainment, walks and tours, shopping, and leisure activities.

Felixstowe Chamber of Trade and Commerce has commissioned the website with funding from councils, and says it is a “huge milestone” for the resort.

It believes the town's record hours of sunshine each year and low rainfall - it is the second driest place in the UK - and its award-winning beaches and attractions need better promotion.

Many resorts are now using the internet to get their message across and the eye-catching Felixstowe one, created by Debug Design, is aimed at daytrippers, longer staying visitors and residents.

Chamber chairman Shaun Rudduck said it was a key stage in the area's regeneration and coincides with the planned major enhancement works it is hoped will be funded by the new Felixstowe Futures Group.

“The challenge has been to drastically improve awareness of Felixstowe, its many attractions, shopping, as a place to visit and to stay,” said Mr Rudduck.

“Our aim as a chamber is to attract more trade for all businesses in the town and we identified that Felixstowe did not have a central web portal for visitors to research and to obtain vital information about the town.

“In order for us to move forward in our plans with Felixstowe Futures Group we needed to have a central base for visitors and the local community to obtain information - from parking areas to events, from where to eat to where to stay . . . the possibilities have been endless.

“We will be including as much information about attractions, accommodation, retailers and places to eat as possible. There will be a basic listing for non-paying businesses and paid-for enhanced listings for those who wish to participate.

“This way everyone has the chance to be included - Felixstowe-based establishments only. The Felixstowe chamber works very hard to attract visitors and trade into the town for the benefit of all businesses but to enable us to continue we need more members to assist us with our costs.”

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