Felixstowe: Beach hut owners on the march against rent rises
Ray Herring of Sufffolk Costal Districh Council talks at the public meeting about Felixstowe Beach Hut price rise - Credit: Archant
PLACARD-waving beach hut owners and chalet tenants will make their feelings about a huge rent rise loud and clear on Easter Monday when they take part in a protest march.
Organisers are hoping hundreds will brave the cold weather to join the event along Felixstowe promenade.
Suffolk Coastal will bring in rents rises of 12% for the resort’s near-1,000 huts and 20% for the 77 chalets on Monday.
At 11am on that day, people of all ages will join the two-mile march from Manor End to Cobbold’s Point.
Roy Gray, a member of the steering committee setting up the new beach hut owners’ association, said: “We are hoping as many people as possible will join the demonstration to show the council the strength of feeling against these outrageous rent increases.
“Anyone with a beach hut or chalet is welcome to join if not for all the walk then part of it – children are welcome, too, and anyone of any age.
“Bring banners and placards to carry, too.”
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Some chalet owners are now having to pay around £1,600 rent a year for their holiday havens between Bath Tap and Cliff House.
Mr Gray said: “The rent for my chalet is now £200 more than the council tax on my four bedroom detached house!
“People are very upset about the increases, especially as there has been no maintenance on the chalets for several years and the money for repairs was removed again this year.
“Hut owners, too, feel they get very little for their rents.”
Suffolk Coastal council says it firmly believes the rise in rents is justified as it brings prices closer to the market value, and helps ensure council taxpayers see a fair return for council facilities such as free toilets, litter cleaning and other services.
