Snippets 2

Grimwade's 

The Ipswich Society understands that Grimwade's on the corner of the Cornhill has been sold to a developer. Although the shop has a wide frontage both to the Cornhill and to Westgate Street there is no rear access. Internally different floor levels (all pertaining to be the ground floor) make it a very difficult building to use as a modern trading unit.

The developer is investigating the possibility of demolition (with facade retention) and rebuilding as a 'big box'. We await the planning application with interest.

The leaflet Guided walks around Ipswich 2016 has just been published with a wide range of walks ranging from ‘Queen Victoria was not amused' to ‘The Ipswich of Carl Giles' to ‘Saxons! Vikings! Normans!' All walks start from the Tourist Information Office in Arras Square and that is the place to pick up copies of the leaflet and pre-book walks (if needed).

Waterfront Gateway

There are a number of unfinished and ugly parts of the Waterfront. But because they are the most exposed and strategic, the worst ones are the adjoining three sites nearest to Stoke Bridge, i.e. the former Burton's building, the Paul's concrete silo and the site of the burnt out warehouse. Three different owners compound the problems. The £50,000 grant from the

Dept of Communities and Local Government for a feasibility study may be a useful starter. It has often been said that this ‘gateway' area demands high quality attractive architecture: so it doesn't sound encouraging, if it's true, that the Paul's building could be converted for residential use. Pedestrians in St Peter's Street and motorists driving from the west or from the south need to be impressed so that they know that the whole of the northern quays would be well worth visiting.

Investment Opportunities

The Foreign Direct Investment Survey of ‘Small European Regions' lists Greater Ipswich as one of the top three regions of Europe for future investment. It might be surprising to some, but our relative closeness to London (without London prices), our ports, our heritage and our weather all make it seem likely that Ipswich has a great future. In the light of this, the EU Referendum could be very significant for us.

A new, colourful membership leaflet for The Ipswich Society has been published. Copies will be available at the usual outlets including the Tourist InformationOffice and at our own events. Thanks to our Hon. Secretary, Caroline Markham, for pulling this together after a long period of reliance on laser-printed black-and-white A4 forms. Also to our Treasurer, Graham Smith, for navigating the shifting sands of the rules about Gift Aid.

It costs only £10 for individuals to join and a bargain £15 for families. Non-profit groups: £25 and Commercial/corporate membership is £50.