Felixstowe is a seaside town
steeped in history and with a wide offering for residents,
businesses and holiday makers alike.
Located on a peninsula in the south east of Suffolk within the
beautiful Suffolk Coastal district, Felixstowe is also one of the
largest container ports in the Europe. The town is a key component
of the Haven Gateway - a geographical area covering
Felixstowe, Harwich, the peninsulas on which they are located and
an area of hinterland providing skilled personnel, businesses,
logistics, housing stock, and social infrastructure.
The Felixstowe Futures project was established in 2006 with the
remit to formulate a long term strategy to guide the
regeneration and enhancement of the urban fabric of
Felixstowe and adjoining villages. The key issues that needed
addressing were:
- Limited economic diversity
- Low supply of housing
- A declining leisure industry
- Local facilities under threat
The Felixstowe Futures team is now addressing these
issues through a number of projects aimed at improving Felixstowe’s
fortunes.
The town has a rich heritage. Historically, Felixstowe was key
in defence of the country. King Edward III used what is now known
as Kingsfleet, to assemble his fleet in preparation for battle.
Landguard Fort marks the spot where England was invaded in 1667. In
the early 19th century, fearing another invasion, forts known as
Martello Towers were built along the east coast and four of these
can still be seen today.
Felixstowe grew rapidly in the latter half of the 19th century
following the creation of the port and the growth of the tourism
industry transformed the town into a fashionable visitor
destination.