As part of ongoing investment in Felixstowe's South Seafront, the development of a new iconic café is entering the final phase.

Barnes Construction started work on the landmark building in August last year and are now entering the final phases of the development, estimated to be completed late this summer.

Once completed, the café will play a key role in helping the town as it starts recovering from the impact of Covid-19, attracting local people and visitors alike by offering indoor and outdoor dining with unspoilt views of the seafront. This will not only support tourism, but it will also help the economy by offering local employment opportunities, making the South Seafront an exciting place to visit, live, work and invest.

The ambitious project is being delivered by East Suffolk Council, Barnes Construction, the Dedham Boathouse Group, Plaice Design, Superstructures and Gill Associates.

This week, Cllr Steve Gallant, Leader of East Suffolk Council and local ward member for Eastern Felixstowe, Cllr Craig Rivett, cabinet member for Economic Development, and Cllr Steve Wiles, local ward member for Eastern Felixstowe visited the site for the first time since the easing of national restrictions. All were excited to see the progress of the development and happy that work has been able to continue despite the pandemic.

In a joint statement they said: "Despite the ongoing challenges we have all faced due to Covid-19, we are grateful that work is able to continue on this development, which will transform the South Seafront for years to come, ensuring it is a thriving place where people want to go, meet and spend their money.

"Now more than ever, this project is hugely important to Felixstowe and the local economy as not only will it provide a new eatery next to the beautiful seaside, attracting both local people and visitors, but it will also support economic growth and provide new employment opportunities as we hopefully begin to emerge from the impact of coronavirus.

"The South Seafront has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years and East Suffolk Council has invested a lot in revitalising the area. We believe it is vital that we continue to build on this investment and create developments that benefits local businesses and people as well as visitors to the area."

Mark Hart, Joint Managing Director at Barnes Construction, said: "Through the delivery of yet another exceptional scheme, Barnes is delighted to be playing its part in shaping the landscape of this popular seaside town. I have no doubt that when completed, this iconic café will prove to be a very successful attraction to both the people of Felixstowe and its many visitors."

The development is part of a bigger project of ongoing investments in the South Seafront area, where the Martello Park has already delivered new homes, a play area and new car parking facilities. The Council has also invested in the refurbishing the two public shelters on the South Seafront and the long-term maintenance of its historic Martello P, which forms the centrepiece of the park.

The £1.5 million project is funded by East Suffolk Council and the Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) which was launched in 2012 to promote sustainable economic growth and jobs in coastal areas. CCF awarded the Council £950,000 grant funding which enabled the project to go ahead. Additional funding of £30,000 was also awarded from the Coastal Revival Fund.