For a quarter of a century Cardinal Park has been seen as the entertainment centre of Ipswich with nightclubs, restaurants, and gyms as well as the town's biggest cinema.

Today Cineworld still seems to be thriving - thanks to Barbie. Mission Impossible, and other blockbusters that pull in film lovers.

But the other main building on the site - the entertainment terrace - has more gaps than open businesses and is waiting for an improvement in its fortunes.

Today only Ask Pizza and Nandos are trading as restaurants - although the Subway sandwich store remains popular.

Ipswich Star: Today only Ask Italian Pizza and Nandos are open in the main leisure terrace.Today only Ask Italian Pizza and Nandos are open in the main leisure terrace. (Image: Paul Geater)

The latest restaurant to close is Dough & Co, one of several branches to shut as the local pizza chain faces financial challenges.

Time was when you could also take your choice of Frankie & Bennys, Old Orleans, or a Toby Carvery on this strip which was reconfigured a few years ago to create outdoor dining spaces.

The former Punch and Judy Pub and Chinese restaurant which shared a separate building at the Stoke Bridge end of the park also remain closed.

Ipswich Star: The former Chinese restaurant and Punch and Judy pub have been closed for years.The former Chinese restaurant and Punch and Judy pub have been closed for years. (Image: Paul Geater)

It seems that Cineworld remains the big draw for Cardinal Park - MacDonalds and KFC, both near the multiplex, still appear to be thriving and the chance of offering a quick meal to people going to a film clearly works for them.

Ipswich Star: Cineworld remains the massive draw at Cardinal Park - helping to boost MacDonalds and KFC as well.Cineworld remains the massive draw at Cardinal Park - helping to boost MacDonalds and KFC as well. (Image: Archant)

Within the cinema building, Starbucks attracts both film-goers and people from the area looking to pop out for a coffee.

The leisure terrace should get a boost when the Inflata play centre moves into the site of the former Liquid Nightclub later this year and the gym at the other end continues to thrive - but the real salvation for the "casual eating" units on the ground floor could be taking shape across Grafton Way.

Ipswich Star: Work has started on the Galliard Homes site opposite Cardinal Park.Work has started on the Galliard Homes site opposite Cardinal Park. (Image: Paul Geater)

The new Galliard Homes development is now underway on the site of the former railway yard and B&Q store - with 163 rental homes and 10 affordable homes due to be built over the next two years.

With a new community of up to 500 people living opposite Cardinal Park, the prospects for new restaurants, bars and entertainment centres could be transformed.