Ipswich market’s move to Queen Street and Princes Street will go ahead in the New Year it has been confirmed, as the council is set to agree which contractor to use on Tuesday.
Ipswich Borough Council confirmed that the stallholders who trade from the Cornhill in Ipswich have been informed that the move will go ahead, which will pave the way for development to begin.
The market will run from the end of Queen Street at the junction of Friars Street, and will continue up past Giles Statue and along the side of the Town Hall near Waitrose and Barclays.
The council’s executive will meet on Tuesday, where the approval of a contractor is set to be confirmed.
If approved, work is expected to start at the end of next month and be completed by October 2018 in time for Christmas and University of Suffolk graduations.
A borough council spokesman said: “We have talked to the stallholders and they have accepted the move to the side of the town hall where some of the stalls are now, down to Queen Street.”
Terry Hunt, chairman of the Ipswich Vision board, added: “The Cornhill work is an absolutely key component of the ambition to improve the heart of Ipswich for residents, shoppers, and visitors. All Ipswich Vision partners remain committed to it.
“We are very pleased that the work is on schedule to get under way early in the new year and completed well before Christmas.
“We know there are some challenges with the budget and that we have to be realistic and pragmatic, especially at a time when public finances are so tight.
“However, we are pleased that partners are still working to ensure that the town gets a stunning new Cornhill.
“The scheme represents a significant, and important, upgrade of the town centre’s most high-profile public open space.
“Once the work is complete, the vitally important next step will be to put our new-look Cornhill to the best and most exciting uses, providing a vibrant core to our town.
“Equally important will be the arrival of new businesses to operate around the Cornhill, notably in the former Grimwades store and the old Post Office.”
The details of where each stall will go are set to be decided over the coming weeks, but work is believed to start at the end of January.
Ambient lighting, trees and benches will also be installed.
Ambient lighting, trees and benches will also be installed.
Ipswich Borough Council leader David Ellesmere said: “This will represent another important milestone in the regeneration of the Cornhill and will provide a boost for businesses and shoppers alike. Our plans reflect what the public have told us they want to see in our town centre and in less than 12 months we should all see the benefits of our investment and commitment to make improvements happen.”
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