The businesses in new upcycled shipping containers helping Felixtowe's economy to bounce back.

Beach Street Felixstowe opens this weekend, and is the first of its kind on the UK coastline.

Author: John CosseePublished 24th Jun 2021
Last updated 24th Jun 2021

A new park of upcycled shipping containers in Felixstowe could encourage people to shop locally – and help businesses to bounce back after the pandemic.

Beach Street Felixtowe is a collection of shops and activities which opens this weekend and is the first of its kind on the coast.

It will have a mix of activities and events – including motorbike shows and live music. The project was held back due to the coronavirus, but now it’s hoped it will help local businesses bounce back now we’ve opened up.

Charlie Manning, who owns the park with his brother, Jonny, said:

“For Felixstowe, we’re normally one of the last places to get anything on-trend or a new feature.

“But It’s gone from being the arcades and Sunday markets with 20-30 traders to over 100 different contacts and networks.

“They all work really well together and promote each other – it’s its own small community.”

“Being by the seaside, we’ve got lots of fresh air, lots of open space. And people just want to be out and have a bit of normality and just enjoy themselves again.

“The money that gets generated all goes back into the local economy, so it’s positive for the local community.”

It’s hoped the project will allow owners to start up new businesses or grow existing ones.

It was inspired by ‘boxparks’ in Shoreditch and Brixton, and it will have a variety of retailers, and food venues, as well as occasional pop-ups.

The Gallery Box at Beach Street in Felixstowe.

Jonny Manning added:

“The shops, cafes and eateries are more than ‘just’ businesses; they are structures with a history of global travel, possibly docking in Shanghai, travelling through the Suez Canal, and loading up in Johannesburg.

"We have given them a new life, whilst offering small, independent businesses affordable spaces. The traders do a wonderful job of establishing Beach Street to life on Suffolk’s tourism map.”