American candy store asked to change appearance in Ipswich

The shop, located in a Grade II listed building on the corner of Upper Orwell Street and Orwell Place, is brightly coloured in pink with vinyls in the shop windows.

Due to it being a listed building, an application would have needed to be submitted to change the external appearance of the building.

Ipswich Borough Council has now been in touch setting out the requirements and the shop's director says they are ready to get a designer in.

Abdi Mishevan said: "We have already sent an application to the council, hopefully it will be approved by mid-February and we can get a designer in.

"The colour will change."

Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for planning, Carole Jones, said: "This is a listed building and the external appearance of the building is important.

Ipswich Borough Councillor Carole Jones (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"In its current form, it is not acceptable.

"We have already contacted the tenants, who - we understand - have appointed a local architect who is drawing up a listed building application.

"This will cover the repainting of the shop exterior to a more suitable colour, and the removal of signage, including the illuminated section.

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"The council is also discussing repairs to the shopfront with them.

"They have until the end of the month to submit this application.

"We have many listed buildings in Ipswich and they are an important part of our heritage.

"We hope the owners of this building will work with us in the way the council has outlined to them."

Councillor John Cook (Image: Ipswich Labour Party)

John Cook, councillor for Alexandra Ward, where the building falls under, added: "Planning rules exist for a reason, and we expect property and business owners to comply with them.

"In Ipswich, we have many buildings of historical value.

"Before undertaking work, especially on listed buildings or in conservation areas, it is wise to check what is appropriate with planners, and whether planning permission is required.

"The council has a record of taking enforcement action when required."

American Candy store at 17 Orwell Place (Image: Tom Cann)

Mr Mishevan added: "When we took over it was something that we weren't aware of that listed buildings needed to have separate applications, so the council got in touch with us and now we have done it properly."