A couple of weeks ago the Ipswich Star reported on a UK survey by the South Western Railway on the number of independents per 100,000 population  per town where Ipswich was rated 9th in the UK with Cambridge 1st and Norwich 4th – the only three East Anglian towns/cities in the top 10.

To follow this up The Ipswich Society Facebook page photographed 140 Ipswich independents and have been bombarded by shop owners ever since saying ‘Why didn't you include us?’. The town is absolutely crammed with independents of all shapes and sizes from third generation Coes to younger, smaller shops like Dial Lane Books but many locals seem blind to this. The Purple Shop is celebrating its 50th year in 2022.

It's six months since we did a Street Scene and in that time more independents have opened including the long awaited Honey + Harvey facing Giles Circus; the Storico Pizza Restaurant in Northgate Street; The Free Book Shop in Upper Brook Street; Tea Mix in Museum Street; La Cueva Restaurant and Bar Twenty One in St Nicholas Street; also the CHIp Community Hub in the empty Curson Lodge further down on St Nicholas Street; Fresh Start & Coffee in Carr Street and more. The sign went up today at the new Ipswich Combat Academy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu unit on Princes Street in the former Spokeworx cycle shop. Oakheart Estate Agents have opened in Butter Market in the former Swarvoski jeweller’s shop. They also have branches in Colchester and Sudbury. Orient Chinese/Asian food has moved across Carr Street to a larger unit vacated by SmartMobile and a new Romanian food outlet has filled their old shop.

Perhaps the most notable non-independent to join us is The Botanist in The Old Post Office on Cornhill. With its posh seating spilling out down Princes Street this plant-filled bar, restaurant and coffee shop is a welcome addition to the Ipswich mix. Although smart, it is not ‘posh’ and there is a warm welcome by staff. In the meantime, we have lost the Town Hall Tea Room because the Registry Office has moved  there from Grimwade Street into its much better location on the Cornhill.

The Boom Battle Bar activity centre (which includes axe-throwing) has opened in the Buttermarket Centre filling two empty units, leaving the former Boots shop as the only empty unit on the ground floor. This tends to be busy during evenings and weekends and it is open all day with its cocktail bar and limited food offer.

The Buttermarket Centre makeover is very nearly complete. The promised new fresh, clean and more modern sign over the entrance facing Butter Market has not yet materialised as I write.

Other projects in progress include the restoration of 4 College Street. With the scaffolding removed this is now beginning to look very smart and will be open to the public on Heritage Open Days in September.

 

The Blue Light Hub on Princes Street progresses; also looking very smart, this is expected to complete around June. Close by, the new Travelodge is fast taking shape beside Endeavour House, Suffolk County Council’s headquarters. This is expected to open in early 2023.

No signs of any progress on the old BHS building yet (which apparently requires floor-strengthening), now owned by the Fraser Group. Recently, staff in Sports Direct and Game, now sharing premises in Carr Street, were expecting to move in with other brands around January 2023. Fingers crossed.

No progress yet on Albion Wharf where Brewdog are expected to start work on the former La Tour Cycle Café, reshaping it for their new outlet in Ipswich. New solar lighting has just been installed along Albion Wharf.

The St Clement's Church Arts Centre has progressed with Phase 1 completed, which includes a stunning oak floor covering the nave and side aisles (see our front cover). Fund-raising continues for Phase 2 which will include toilets and other upgraded services.

The tarmac scars by the Wolsey Statue have been replaced with new paving.

The McCarthy Stone complex is well off the ground in Lower Brook Street and the Handford Road flats for the disabled are nearly complete. The attractive council-built flats on Grimwade Street are complete. 

Work has started on The Ipswich Garden Suburb (formerly known as the Northern Fringe) and house-building is in abundance around the town including Bourne Hill and Wolsey Grange on London Road – near the Holiday Inn.

Tim Leggett

Below: La Cueva Restaurant and Bar Twenty One in St Nicholas Street; Council-built flats on Grimwade Street

 

 

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