CONCERNED groups will come together this month to discuss the list of improvements needed to one of Beccles' premier tourist gateways.A meeting will be held at the town hall on Tuesday, April 27, to explore how the quay can be better maintained and enhanced as a hotspot for holiday makers and visitors.

CONCERNED groups will come together this month to discuss the list of improvements needed to one of Beccles' premier tourist gateways.

A meeting will be held at the town hall on Tuesday, April 27, to explore how the quay can be better maintained and enhanced as a hotspot for holiday makers and visitors.

It has been arranged by Beccles Community Arts and Beccles Society, and will also include representatives from Waveney District Council, Waveney Norse, and the Broads Authority- the parties currently responsible for looking after the quay.

The two Beccles groups have separately voiced their desire to improve the area, and believe that by joining forces they will be able to progress more effectively.

Bob Aris, secretary of Beccles Society, explained: “It's an exploratory meeting to see what can be done, what is being done, what our concerns are as a community, and how we can go forward to make the quay a better place.

“We're concerned about the quay because of its general down-at-heel appearance, which seems to have been getting worse. “Effectively the quay is to Beccles what the seafront is to Lowestoft. It's an entry point for holiday makers and it's the primary area for being alongside the river that Beccles has. It's the town park in a sense.”

He added that by bringing all the interested parties together it would form a united front, which could make it easier to acquire funding for projects in the future.

Also up for discussion at the meeting will be the flooding issue at the quay, general maintenance, improvements to the car parking facilities, better toilets and showers, and signage in the area.

Beccles Community Arts are keen to erect a �10,000 bandstand at the quay, which will also be discussed.

Jula Janney, secretary of the group, said that they were still researching the project and were looking into designs and possible avenues for funding.

Mr Aris said that he would like to see extra facilities for tourists. “If you look back a few years there was a little tea shop and a pub,” he said. “All the other businesses have faded away.”

He added that Beccles Community Arts and Beccles Society would welcome input from other groups in the area. Anyone interested in joining in future meetings about the quay should telephone Bob Aris on 01502 716755 or Jula Janney on 01502 712109.