The town swapping lie-ins for early morning raves

A group of people are dancing in a café. There is a sofa in the background and a mirror on the wall. There are also pictures on the wall, which is painted red.

Image source, Darren Rozier/BBCImage caption,

Ravers in Felixstowe have been enjoying some early morning dancing

ByDarren Rozier, in Felixstowe and Jaimielee Rendall

Published4 minutes ago

It's an idea that has already taken off in cities like Berlin, Sydney and New York, and now a seaside town in Suffolk has become the latest place for people to go partying in the morning.

A Coffee and Clubbing event has started in Felixstowe for those who want to have fun dancing at 09:00 without the late nights and hangovers.

Event founder Vanessa Fullerton-Batten said she wanted to let people enjoy "music that transports you back to those heady days of the '90s club dancefloors - but in the morning".

She added: "If you have kids too, you don't want to have a late night and be hungover the next day, so to avoid all of that you can go out early."

Vanessa Fullerton-Batten stands in front of a coffee shop with her hands on her hips. She has blonde hair and is wearing a black vest with a sleeveless white jacket.

Image source, Darren Rozier/BBCImage caption,

Organiser Vanessa Fullerton-Batten said people don't have to be "seasoned ravers" to take part

Fullerton-Batten and her husband, Ben Kay, who DJs at the events, moved to the town earlier this year from Hertfordshire and wanted to help bring the community together.

High street coffee shop Cuppa has hosted two of the events so far where people of all ages can enjoy a mid-morning dance and a brew.

"I think there's just this sense of wanting to be connected again," said Fullerton-Batten.

"You can go to the gym, but I think going to something like that you can just come along, you can chat, you can listen to the music - and, of course, you can just dance.

"It only lasts for an hour, so it's a really good atmosphere and just great vibes."

Fullerton-Batten said those who turned out were mainly Gen X-ers, in their 40s and 50s.

"You don't have to be a seasoned clubber or a raver to enjoy this sort of thing," she stressed.

Ben Kay wears a black top and has headphones around his neck, and is DJing on some decks.

Image source, Darren Rozier/BBCImage caption,

Ben Kay plays at the events and said he enjoyed being able to see people smiling and dancing

Kay, who has DJ'd across the country and produced music over the past 30 years, said there were advantages to being on the decks during the day.

"You can see people, so you can see them smiling and dancing," he said.

"It doesn't feel that different to playing in a club, it's just lighter.

"It feels more innocent."

A group of people are dancing in a cafe. There is a chandelier on the ceiling and a chalkboard on the wall.

Image source, Darren Rozier/BBCImage caption,

Coffee raves have been taking place at venues across the world, with some people seeing it as a fun alternative to the gym

Susannah Hinchey, who owns a local fitness company, said dancing at whatever time of day or night is also good exercise.

She puts on silent disco walks along Felixstowe's promenade and "clubbercise" evening classes where people work out to music with glowsticks.

"Music speaks to people in lots of different ways - and to move your body to the music just feels really, really good," she said.

"My [indoor] class is done in the dark, which obviously mimics the nightclub vibe, so you get all the happy hormones... without the hangover or sore feet."

Susannah Hinchey stands with her hand on her hip in front of the sea and some beach hut roofs. She is wearing headphones, with a microphone, and a fitness vest.

Image source, SuppliedImage caption,

Susannah Hinchey runs "clubbercise" classes in Felixstowe and thinks people like the fun of dancing without the hangover

The Coffee and Clubbing events in Felixstowe start at 09:00 BST and Fullerton-Batten hopes there will be many more.

"It's a pop-up, so the idea is that we go to different venues. It could be a bakery, restaurant or a bar," she said.

"We want this to become more regular, ideally once a month, and we've got another one coming up soon, which is going to be an afternoon session."

She added that they want to create a welcoming space for people of all ages.

"Us Gen X-ers, we're in our 40s and 50s, and you might feel a little bit out of place in a club, but there are plenty of people that age and older who go to really big outdoor raves and festivals," she said.

"So, age shouldn't really matter at all. It's just how people around you make you feel."

Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below.