FIRMS are being offered a prime seafront building as potential premises for a tourism business as part of a £300,000 revamp of Felixstowe's civic centre.

By Richard Cornwell

FIRMS are being offered a prime seafront building as potential premises for a tourism business as part of a £300,000 revamp of Felixstowe's civic centre.

The project for the Town Hall, a former youth drop-in centre and disused courts, has left council chiefs with an empty building to rent.

Suffolk Coastal is now appealing for any businesses which might be interested in using the property in Undercliff Road West to get in touch with it.

"Since the closures of the magistrates' court and a youth drop-in centre run by Suffolk County Council, the council has been investigating the best way to make use of its buildings," said David Smith, cabinet member for finance and resources.

"We have now agreed to move our housing benefits and council tax office into the Town Hall from its current home in 91 Undercliff Road and use this prime spot to give larger premises to our Tourist Information Centre, which is currently based at Felixstowe Leisure Centre.

"The next door, 93/95 Undercliff Road West, has been empty since the drop-in centre and probation offices closed and there is an excellent chance for someone to set up a new business next to an office which will be visited by tens of thousands of residents and tourists.

"Planning permission would be needed to determine its future use, but it seems an ideal venue for a tourist-related activity, or a café, while clearly office-based activities would also be accepted.

"I hope this attractive proposition sparks a lot of interest and look forward to some exciting ideas being put forward."

The two properties are inter-linked and have a combined ground floor area of 112 square metres with over 100 sq m on the first floor.

The proposed let would be for an initial period of six years and the council would like to hear from any business with proposed ideas for its use and their proposed rent levels.

People interested should call Gary Lowe of Suffolk Coastal's estates team on

01394 444717 or email gary.lowe@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk

Moving the TIC to the ground floor and basement of the buildings – back to where it was located in the 1970s and early 1980s – will cost £90,000 and will be done as soon as possible.

The move of the council services housing will cost £90,000, while the disabled access – a ramped entrance, internal lift and other works – to the Town Hall will cost £105,000.

WEBLINK: www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk