FELIXSTOWE needs to build a new major attraction if it is to have a future as a holiday resort able to attract large numbers of visitors.That was the view today of the resort's outgoing mayor Malcolm Minns as he expressed his disappointment and frustration at failed attempts to provide modern facilities at the seaside town.

FELIXSTOWE needs to build a new major attraction if it is to have a future as a holiday resort able to attract large numbers of visitors.

That was the view today of the resort's outgoing mayor Malcolm Minns as he expressed his disappointment and frustration at failed attempts to provide modern facilities at the seaside town.

While he praised those behind successful events such as the historic car run, carnival, road races and fuchsia show, he voiced deep concern over the efforts of resort regeneration and the plans for the 17-acre south seafront.

In a "state of the resort" report, Mr Minns said the town had again failed to find the will or resources to "develop a major attraction to secure Felixstowe's attractiveness as a resort".

He did not believe the south seafront and resort regeneration programme would provide a long-term significant major economic boost.

Work to restore Landguard Fort and turn it into an attraction was to be applauded, and days such as the historic vehicle run – when the prom was a sea of people admiring the old cars, lorries and bikes – was marvellous.

Felixstowe, though, could not exist on special days bringing thousands and needed a major modern attraction if it was to continue to bring people regularly to the town. It also needed to find ways to stop the erosion of its beaches, one of its best attractions, and to see if the offshore dredging was having an impact, he said.

There has been widespread disappointment at the proposals for the south seafront because they contain so few leisure attractions.

The project which would have truly revitalised Felixstowe was the scheme for a £15 million new pier featuring a host of attractions, including the world's largest revolving restaurant, conference facilities and heritage centre.

But while the project was supported by the East of England Development Agency, Suffolk Coastal caused it to fail by giving only half the £10,000 it was asked to provide towards a feasibility study to achieve lottery funding.

n What do you think – what would revitalise Felixstowe? Write to Evening Star Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk