Felixstowe leaders speak out after Wetherspoon pulls out

It was revealed on Thursday that the pub chain had put vacant land in Hamilton Road, which it had intended to build on, up for sale. 

Plans for the land at Great Eastern Square had rumbled on for several years, before they were eventually given the go-ahead by East Suffolk Council in 2020. 

The vacant land is up for sale in Hamilton Road (Image: Savills)

Wetherspoon confirmed in 2021 works on the development would form as part of a £145million investment into its brand. 

Felixstowe Mayor Seamus Bennett said after Thursday's news emerged: "It is disappointing that it won’t be developed because the scheme they came back with did look attractive.

"However, it is also good that there is clarity because it has been going on too long. I have much hope that an alternative development will be good for the site. We want to see it developed."

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Councillor Mark Jepson, who represents Eastern Felixstowe on East Suffolk Council, shared Mr Bennett's disappointment, citing it would have attracted more trade to that area of the coastal town.

Despite the disappointment, Mr Jepson highlighted the work of the town's business improvement district (BID) in attracting more people to Felixstowe. 

He added: "I think it is worth noting the work of the Felixstowe BID and we have attracted new people to the town.

Councillor Mark Jepson, of Felixstowe (Image: Felixstowe Town Council)

"It is a bit of a blow to us, but we are attracting people into the town and we have got a number of chain and independent shops that are doing well."

Mr Bennett added that he hopes an alternative solution for the land can be found, and believes other developers will be interested in the area.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said pulling out of the scheme was a commercial decision made by the company.