A business organisation is exploring ideas to revive a Suffolk seaside town's centre and seafront, potentially including a weekly market, amid concerns about a lack of visitors to shops.

Discover Felixstowe, a voluntary group of business representatives, believes that there has not been any "significant rise in footfall" in Felixstowe town centre over the last four years and is pledging to take action to make the town a "lively, thriving destination once again".

A spokesperson for the voluntary group said it was formed because many businesses were struggling to survive due to "a lack of people visiting the town" and aimed to prevent further business closures.

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At a meeting last week of the organisation and its supporters, a number of ideas were mooted, including the weekly market and Discover Felixstowe hopes to arrange a first market for the February half-term.

If this proves a success, then the weekly markets will continue, while the group is also hoping to hold entertainments, including live performances on the town centre's triangle recreation space to "draw in the crowds".

The Discover Felixstowe spokesperson said: "Felixstowe has so much to offer.

"It's a beautiful town with a vibrant community and fantastic local businesses.

"We’re dedicated to ensuring it reaches its full potential and becomes a destination that draws people back time and again."

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However, Kate Cain, manager of Felixstowe Business Improvement District (BID), which represents businesses in the town, said there had been "healthy" footfall in the town centre.

On Thursday, she said: "We don't know where they are getting their data on footfall from, because we have healthy footfall reports from East Suffolk Council’s wifi counters, as well as many shops and businesses reporting good trade anecdotally.

"We also have stats from Visa on customer spend that reflect a stable flow of business, particularly in comparison to other towns nearby.

"Obviously, there is always room for improvement, which is what the BID is all about.

"We welcome input from any of our businesses and held a very successful workshop at the Alex in Felixstowe last night with a healthy turnout to discuss what levy payers would like to see us working on after the busy Christmas period, when we have much planned for Felixstowe."

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