An Essex couple are looking to make a new eatery on Felixstowe a sweet success.

Restauranteurs Claire and Cameron Marshall, who turned a cafe on the banks of the river Stour in Dedham into a smart eatery, are aiming to bring an all day fun experience to the new cafe, called the Kitchen@Martello Park.

The couple who own the Dedham Boathouse Group were selected as the operator following a competitive process and will take on the running of the new eatery once it is ready to open.

Cameron and Claire, said: "We are super excited to be launching The Kitchen@Martello Park in Felixstowe next year.

"The Kitchen@Martello Park will be offering food and drinks with a laid-back seaside vibe. Alongside this, Cameron will also be making delicious homemade candy which will be aptly named The Sweetworks @ Martello Park.

"Whether it is illy Coffee or a Bacon Bap first thing in the morning or a light lunch, ice cream or a slice of homemade cake, there will be something for everyone to enjoy when we open."

Cameron and Claire, who also own classy cafe in Kitchen@Thorpeness, transformed the Boathouse from a struggling cafe in 2002 into a thriving, highly-rated restaurant with a bar and contemporary feel.

Work on a new café/restaurant in the heart of Felixstowe's South Seafront is set to start later this summer – bringing a new exciting resort experience to the area.

East Suffolk Council have commissioned Barnes Construction, a local building company, to start work on the new landmark building, which will house the café/restaurant, offering indoor and outdoor dining with unspoilt views of the sea. The work is estimated to start in August and complete in summer 2021.

Cllr Craig Rivett, East Suffolk's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: "Felixstowe is getting national recognition as one of the top seaside destinations in the country and as we hopefully begin to emerge from the coronavirus impact, providing much needed new facilities will be important.

"This is a very exciting time for Barnes Construction and the Dedham Boathouse Group to come in and play an active part in the resurgence of Felixstowe.

"The striking design of the building is based around strong coastal themes and sympathetically balances its sensitive location, while also being an iconic visual draw to the area. Not only will it provide a new resort experience, attracting both local people and visitors, it will also support economic growth and provide new employment opportunities.

"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."

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, 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.

Mark Hart, Joint Divisional Managing Director at Barnes Construction, said: "We are delighted to be involved in this excellent project and are very much looking forward to playing our part in the delivery of another significant community facility in Felixstowe."