The founding members of Meet Up Mondays at the Boardwalk Cafe Bar on Felixstowe pier have spoken of their first day impression and how they are looking forward to continue the experience.

Hosted by the Boardwalk's assistant manager Heidi Manning, the group introduced themselves over a free cup of tea or coffee and some biscuits and in no time at all were chatting away like old friends.

"It's been good," said Heidi. "It was lovely to see new faces and people getting to know each other.

"Hopefully, as the word spreads, even more people will come along and get together.

"So, come and have a chat, have some free tea and coffee and some biscuits. It is an ideal way for those people who may not have gone out much to and meet new people

"Some only live up the road from each other and didn't realise it until they came in and got chatting."

Wearing a 'Good To Chat' badge, Heidi was delighted to welcome the community to the Boardwalk Cafe & Bar, and is hopeful the initiative will flourish.

"It is a good use of our space on a Monday morning," she said. "Hopefully, even more people will pop in between 9am-11am next Monday."

This weekly event is part of the Boardwalk Cafe & Bar's move to encourage more of the community to use the venue during the day and enjoy the sea views, while enjoying a meal our just drinks.

Tina Durrant, who moved to Suffolk from Chelmsford in June and regularly visits Felixstowe, is glad she came along.

"You have to be brave to do something like this at first but once you take that first step it is not so difficult," said Tina.

"The pandemic caused more issues for people with the isolation and dip in confidence so this is a good thing to help get them out and regain confidence."

Tony moved to the town from Colchester to be nearer his daughter who lives in Trimley following a serious medical problem.

He found out about Meet Up Monday's and was quick to encourage others to come along.

He revealed how he chatted to Tina outside Tesco and asked if she wanted to go for a coffee, and brought her along to enjoy them for free and both met new friends.

Jane Barnett, who lives in Felixstowe, told how she had been a carer for a child with special needs and found herself cut off in many ways but has taken this opportunity to get back out and about.

Jane added: "You realise you have missed out on friends so this is a good opportunity to meet new people."

Tina enjoys Felixstowe so much she has bought a beach hut, and her new food friends were quick to suggest they meet up there in the summer.

Meet Up Mondays was developed as a concept by the Rural Coffee Caravan and the Suffolk Good Neighbour Network.

The idea was to encourage hospitality businesses to utilise a quiet tine to get their community to come in and meet new friends, while offering free tea, coffee and a few biscuits.

This benefits individuals increase their social circle, and encourage them to use the pub, cafe, hotel, tea room or bars, at other times.

Although, ostensibly Meet Up Monday's some places prefer to offer a Tuesday or Wednesday as it is more convenient.

Go to the Meet Up Monday website here...

*The Boardwalk Cafe & Bar is now sponsoring Felixstowe Nub News' What's On page, which is filled with events in the area. See more details, or add your event for free, by using the black Nub It button here.