Suffolk Coastal District Council's (SCDC) cabinet is poised to reject the sole bid to operate Felixstowe's Spa Pavilion as a leisure and entertainment venue when it meets on 24 July.

The local authority had conducted a "thorough" procurement process in order to secure the future of the arts venue, but cabinet members have been recommended to reject the proposal.

SCDC currently invests more than £250,000 a year in the Spa Pavilion, but a "substantial" increase was needed for modernisation. An independent expert placed the cost at £8m.

Geoff Holdcroft, the council's cabinet member for leisure and economic development, said the sole bidder had been unable to present a "realistic case" for the building.

He said: "The conclusion of our officers who have thoroughly reviewed the bid is that it is fundamentally flawed in many ways and would be far too financially risky for this council to give its backing to."

Click here for more from SCDC on the process and the recommendation to reject the sole bid to take over the Spa Pavilion.

More details: www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk