It is an almost eerie sight to see Felixstowe bathed in sunshine, yet fewer day-trippers on the beaches, promenade, pier or town centre, at what is effectively the start of the holiday season.

 

And those that are here are not welcome for the moment, not until this lock down is over, then it should be business as usual with lots to look forward too.

Of course, Felixstowe is not in a unique position, as coastal towns nationwide are suffering the same fate but Mark Jepson, while fully understanding the magnitude of today's considerable issues, is looking beyond and to brighter days ahead.

Town and district councillor, former police chief inspector, devoted resident and family man Mr Jepson, accepts the usual feel-good factor and feeling of anticipation of an Easter bounty for local traders is just not there, but is positive the gloom will lift, and Felixstowe will be ready.

"We are in the same position as every town that would be ramping up their leisure facilities," said Cllr Jepson.

"Their season was about to begin but that will not happen yet.

"They gear up for around this time of year right up until the end of September, so this will have a very detrimental effect to Felixstowe, and every other coastal town will feel the same pain.

"I like to be really positive but we have to be realistic, there won't be some businesses that will survive this, or be here when we come through the other side."

Previous well laid plans, a raft of inspirational go-getters and a strong community ethos is already in place and Cllr Jepson believes that will provide a solid platform in the near future.

"Fortunately, we have a very vibrant community and we are fortunate to have people like Roger Abbott and the Chamber of Commerce that will help and support businesses as well as they always have done," insisted Cllr Jepson.

"Many people love to shop locally within the town and that will help us.

"What we have also seen is many more people, like me, have used local shops even more and hopefully they will continue to do that afterwards."

Among the exciting initiatives people can look forward to is a new multi-million state-of-the-art leisure facility. The single destination centre will service the community and attract people from further afield, and has already been ratified by East Suffolk District Council.

Mr Jepson also points to initiatives such as Visit Felixstowe, consulting town centre shops about the feasibility of a business improvement development plan and application, while still in the consultation phase.

"There are a lot of opportunities and processes in place," he said. "The majority of shop keepers appear to appreciate the potential benefits and we will need them to get through this."

Cllr Jepson believes the people of Felixstowe epitomise the best of Suffolk's characteristic traits of reliance and fortitude and like the rest of the county will see a resurgence.

He said: "Other towns have equal qualities, we reflect the good that Suffolk is about with the same motivated, enthusiastic approach.

He points to Suffolk Day in June as an example of a celebration to look forward too and added: "As a district council we will be working on that – there is a balance as councillors of not being seen to take over but making our make ourselves visible enough so people know they have not been forgotten, that we are here for them and Suffolk Day is one of those times we can do that.

"I particularly like the Suffolk Remembers candle vigil, which is an opportunity to remember people we have lost throughout the year and not just to Covid-19."

Even in these difficult lockdown days, community leaders in Felixstowe have been doing whatever they can for the town and Cllr Jepson was quick to pay tribute to the few helping the many.

These include: The pop up shops and food banks run by Basics, Felixstowe Area Community Transport System (Facts), the Salvation Army, Helping Hands and Citizen's Advice.

Cllr Jepson added: "I want to thank all those organisations, groups and individuals that have stepped up in these difficult times.

"People such as Chloe Lee, the East Suffolk Community Officer, Nick the current mayor and an army of other volunteers, we are really grateful."

There is also something special for Mr Jepson, and his wife Julie, to look forward too as he steps up from deputy to become Mayor of Felixstowe, when the long-serving councillor Nick Barber hands over the chain of office, which he has held for two of the past three years.

Cllr Jepson said: "Nick has been a very good mayor and ambassador for Felixstowe for many years and looking taking from him.

"The mayoral ceremony will still take place on May 20, however we do it, we will do it. Maybe passing the chain covered with anti-bacterial gel for the hand over," said Cllr Jepson, only half-joking.

"The early days may be a damp squib compared to normal but at some point we will come out of this, as long as we don't prompt a second wave.

"Julie will become Mayoress and we will continue trying to put Felixstowe on the map.

"We will support nursing homes charities and other groups to help increase their profile and funding, which are being hit hard during this crisis.

"We could have a unique and interesting time ahead of us."

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