A former Poundland store in Ipswich is to be turned into an international food supermarket and 80-seat restaurant.

Ipswich Bazaar Ltd has snapped up 26-32 Carr Street on a 25-year lease.

The 26,000sq ft retail premises lies on one of the town's main thoroughfares with a prominent frontage and high pedestrian footfall, said agents Penn Commercial.

It will be used to house a multi-cultural food supermarket with internationally-themed aisles of produce catering to a diverse range of communities and cuisines.

Ipswich Star:

Among  the attractions in the  new supermarket will be a 14-metre-long Halal meat counter, a fresh fish section and a bakery.

The restaurant will include a staffed crèche area to enable parents to enjoy a break.

The new store is set to create 50 new jobs on its expected launch in mid-June – and the new owners hope to expand the workforce

Ipswich Bazaar director Ariful Islam – who has lived in Ipswich for 14 years – said he would be offering a 10% discount for NHS staff and the police.

“I am pleased to open Ipswich Bazaar to cater to everyone’s needs in Ipswich. I want this to be a supermarket where everyone and anyone of any nationality can come and get their day-to day grocery needs," he said.

“Ipswich town centre has suffered since Covid-19, and I believe that setting up Ipswich Bazaar will bring, not only job opportunities for people, but a reason to visit the town centre also.

“I own a transport company, which is staffed by over 100 people. I want to create job opportunities for people and use my ability to manage into my new shop.

"Not only do I want this to be just a supermarket, but I am also providing an Indian-Turkish restaurant, where all families are welcome, with complimentary on-site facilities for children."

Joe Stern of The Glenpath Group, owner of Carr Street Estates Ltd, which owns the building, thanked Penn Commercial for its help in securing the tenant.

Paul Keen, senior associate at Penn Commercial, said: “We would like to wish Ariful and his team the very best of luck with their ‘world of food’ supermarket. What a splendid idea to cater to Ipswich’s multi-cultural community.”

The new supermarket will be open from 8am to 11pm seven days a week.