Ipswich Market

Ipswich: Compromise being sought in great market debate

By Paul Geater Tuesday, September 18, 2012
5:51 PM

BOTH sides in the debate over the future of the Cornhill and Ipswich Market are trying to find a compromise position.

But the market traders who would be most directly affected by any changes to the area insist they are not prepared to move anywhere.

Ipswich Central chief executive Paul Clement said that he did not believe it would be necessary for the market to move away from the Cornhill for that part of town to reach its full potential.

He felt that with a re-configuring of some of the stalls it should be possible to both retain the market and allow more space for pavement cafes.

The most crucial location is the area just outside the former Grimwades/Clinton Cards store.

It is understood that restaurant chain Wagamama is interested in taking over the site, but it would want a number of tables outside on the Cornhill.

However the space immediately in front of the unit is occupied by a fruit and vegetable stall – and the fish stall.

They are seen as two of the busiest stalls on the market – and both insist they would not be prepared to move elsewhere in any shake-up.

Mr Clement said: “We have never said that the market should leave the Cornhill, but we should look at changing things there to see if it can be made more attractive.

“The market is very important to the town, and we want a thriving market. But if by making some changes we bring more people into the town centre, surely that would be good.”

Mr Clement felt that if stall holders could be persuaded that changes would be good for them, they may be prepared to consider changes on the Cornhill.

Ipswich council leader David Ellesmere said it would be necessary to find compromises because everyone agreed they ultimately wanted the same thing.

He said: “We have had two recognised retail experts giving their views on what is best. Sir Stuart Rose said the market should move to clear space at the Cornhill while Mary Portas said thriving markets are vital to thriving town centres.

“We have to talk to people to try to work out some kind of compromise here. We all want the same thing – for Ipswich to have a thriving, bustling town centre.”

How should the Cornhill develop? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk

We want to know what you think – join the great market debate.

If you would prefer the existing market to stay in place text STAR TOWN followed by 1001, your name and postcode to 80058 (e.g. STAR TOWN 1001 JOHN SMITH IP1 1PT)

If you would prefer the Cornhill to be transformed into a continental-style piazza STAR TOWN followed by 1002, your name and postcode to 80058 (e.g. STAR TOWN 1002 JOHN SMITH IP1 1PT)

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7 comments

Surely, with a bit of creative thinking and shunting around, both Wagamama's and the market can be accomodated?

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IpswichExile

Friday, September 21, 2012
Yes, Cornhill is located in the centre of town but it just isn't big enough to accommodate a market of any significance when you compare it to the huge area in front of Norwich city hall where they have space for permanent market stalls - and a lot better it looks too. We do have a large rectangular area, on level ground, close to Tower Ramparts bus station and with easy access for market vehicles behind Debenhams and Marks and Spencer. Unfortunately this space is taken up by a not-very-cheap car park. There are other large open spaces around Ipswich town centre such as behind the old Woolworths store (also a car park) but I don't think it would work on that site. I would like to see a market somewhere in town but not at its present cramped site. It has been mentioned that the two bus stations are to be combined into one which is to be sited at Tacket Street so if this goes ahead then the Old Cattle Market bus station area could become available for development of shops with flats above around its perimeter leaving a large area in the middle for the market. We don't really want to start shunting the market about until those plans become firmer so maybe it is better to leave it where it is at present?

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Ken Kernow

Wednesday, September 19, 2012
The town is a complete mess it does not matter where the market goes as long as you have the council running the planning of the town nothing will change. People have to get real and look at the hotch potch of planning disasters that this council has put onto the residents of this once fine market town. The planners have been consistent you could say that about ipswich town center.

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a west

Wednesday, September 19, 2012
I think Council Leader David Ellesmere may have misinterpreted both Mary Portas AND Sir Stuart Rose? Mary Portas did not say a market HAS to be on the Cornhill, but in the' heart of a town' and unless I am mistaken Lloyds Avenue and Giles Circus are not even a hop away from the Cornhill? Also the look and feel of the market are vitally important to its appeal to a broader audience than it currently has. I expect if Ms. Portas came and did a Mary Queen of Shops on the market they might not like her suggestions???I cannot believe Mary Portas said whack up some mis-matched stalls and away you go, as long as its on the Cornill all will be great. Secondly Sir Stuart Rose seemed to have said there is a chance to do something great with the Cornhill area as it does not look that great at the moment with the market on it in the way it currently is. He did not say move the market its the only option. He said look at what options you have - it can be better. Surely the retail experts both said the same thing?

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jhunter58

Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Is stubbornness one of the necessary requirements to be a market trader or is it in their breeding? Considering they spend most of their working day shouting then I suppose it follows that they are not going to be the sort of people to listen to reason.

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Ken Kernow

Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Where would the market move to?! I can't imagine a better place for it than pretty much what people consider the center of the town. I'm all for it being rearranged if the layout isn't working, but it should stay right where it is.

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emi7

Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Here we go again! Paul and David - do your jobs. Stand up to these people for what is right for the town and not for the pockets of two market traders. if they're not prepared to move then get someone there who is prepared to move. It's all talk! Don't say you're going to go with Stuart Rose's idea and then turn around and do the exact opposite!!!

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Scott Brock

Wednesday, September 19, 2012