I’m delighted that the shopping offer in Ipswich is being strengthened by both big national names and more independent retailers. Both play a vital role in revitalizing our town.
As the country’s economy has changed and the pace of change in retail has accelerated in past years, there has been a bigger impact on Ipswich than some other towns because we had more very large retailers, and their national demise left large vacant units in the town.
Woolies, C&A, BHS, Debenhams and the Co-op department store have gone. Even well-loved local stores like Martin & Newby, Andy’s Records and Croydons have been swept away by internet and out of town shopping. It’s great to see the former BHS building is now occupied by Sports Direct alongside Flannels, USC, Game and Evans Cycles.
M&S is committed to retaining a town centre presence in Westgate Street alongside millions of pounds of investment to open a new store at the Copdock Mill interchange. Ipswich is getting the best of M&S with a new out of town flagship store and a town centre store – something many other towns and cities can only dream of.
Lidl is another national retailer confident of investing in Ipswich, opening a brand new store in November at Anglia Retail Park.
This is one of the largest Lidl stores in the East of England, bringing more choice, value, and convenience to more local shoppers. It’s a testament to continued investment and growth in Ipswich, to enhance the town’s overall retail offering. Lidl are looking for other sites in Ipswich.
The impact of big retailers choosing Ipswich as their new home, in the town centre and beyond, can only be positive.
I also thoroughly welcome the increasing number of local independent shops, many selling products that are not widely available elsewhere. They provide a unique and very personal side to shopping experiences for residents and visitors alike.
High-quality shopping destinations not only draw more visitors but also create jobs, stimulate the local economy, and contribute to a vibrant, thriving community. However, Ipswich like many other town centres across the country, must move away from a reliance on retail and diversify the mix of uses on the high street.
Ipswich Borough Council (IBC), through investment and by working with partners such as Ipswich Central, is working to bring more leisure, cultural, learning and residential uses to the town centre, which will reduce the number of vacant units that remain there.
Arts & Culture also brings people together. People remember the SPILL festival with its Megabunny, giant eyes and the fantastic cardboard box version of Wolsey’s Tudor College. Was that really a year ago?
Ipswich is blessed with several excellent cultural organisations, and these will surely bring people into town at Christmas time. Shopping and panto make a great combination.
Through the Towns Fund, IBC has secured a budget in the region of £10million to invest in projects that bring empty properties, within the town centre, back into use.
We are engaging with businesses and investors to attract a good mix of shops and other facilities, working with landlords and property owners to ensure buildings are in use and contribute to the vibrancy of the town centre, and encouraging landlords of vacant spaces to consider conversion to residential, and other uses.
These are measures and improvements that will ensure Ipswich continues to grow as a place people can live, spend time, and be a shopping, entertainment and leisure destination everyone can enjoy.