Felixstowe businesses, tourist attractions, community groups and residents are being invited to a special Engagement Event, organised by Felixstowe Forward and supported by the Town Council, on Wednesday 22 June.
The event is a celebration of what Felixstowe Forward has achieved in its first year.
These achievements include: The newly restored historic Felixstowe Seafront Gardens provide a stunning backdrop to the promenade; Martello Park is welcoming visitors for its first full season; and, Landguard peninsula is expecting record numbers in 2016.
Felixstowe Forward, as a partnership organisation initiated and funded by Felixstowe Town Council and Suffolk Coastal District Council, has done a great deal to harness a revitalised interest in the town through the ‘Visit Felixstowe’ brand that promises Great Days by the Sea.
The success of Felixstowe Forward has been its commitment of getting to know, and understand, the town. Engagement and a close working partnership with a wide range of business and community groups has been a major part of this success.
This event is an opportunity to hear first hand the results of a business confidence survey and benchmarking exercise and to gather ideas to improve footfall and enhance the main town in the year ahead.
It is an opportunity to look back at what has been achieved and to build on the successes, and to encourage people to continue to work together and forge ahead with successes.
Felixstowe Forward is seeking views on tourism, economic trade and prosperity, and community services locally, and will use these to continue to inform the Town Improvement Plan.
The event will incorporate two interactive workshops, plus the opportunity to learn more about the Felixstowe Forward initiative – developed to provide a collective approach to tackling the town’s key challenges and opportunities.
Helen Greengrass, Felixstowe Forward Change Director said:
“I am looking forward to sharing with everyone the achievements of the Felixstowe Forward team. It has been a productive year with plenty of highlights. Most importantly, this event will allow us to continue to listen to the views of the town and to work collaboratively on a shared vision that will bring mutual benefit to businesses, the community, visitors and the residents.
I have had a positive response to this event already, with over 100 attendees confirmed. If you would like to come along and add your views then please contact me. By working together we can continue to improve the town and build on the work that is currently underway.”
The engagement event takes place on Wednesday, 22 June 2016 from 8am-12pm at the Orwell Hotel, Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7DX.