Town Topics with Ipswich Central

In 2013 Ipswich Central was announced as a winner of the Government’s X-Fund, a scheme designed to reward places that were re-shaping to stay ahead.

The fund that we won is being invested in a host of new initiatives aimed at further improving our town centre and linking the Waterfront with the historic commercial core.

First stop has been the rebranding of the town’s shuttle bus that now operates a new Saturday route between Dance East and the old Cattle Market. The experience, that includes free wi-fi on board, means that you can leave the shops and be enjoying the splendid port-side development in less than 10 minutes.

Hop on and enjoy!

Next comes new branded market stalls to be used by specialist market operators.

These will be seen for the first time at the Forknight Cornhill local food and drink event on 11th May.

By providing the infrastructure, the costs of taking a pitch at such events has been halved and we will be incentivising new, experimental businesses to try out town centre retailing in the future.

The fund will also provide direct funding to independent businesses in the Saints and Blackfriars areas.

Both are crucial linkages to the Waterfront, the new markets will feature heavily here and they have exciting plans as to how they will spend their share of the cash.

Later in the year events to promote the town’s offer will include food and history themes.

Plus, Ipswich will start to take its message to a new, wider based consumer audience who may not usually travel into town but will now be encouraged to do so through stunning new imagery and video content.

All of this is in addition to the vast array of events, promotions and festivals that our town centre hosts each year and is the envy of many others.

Can Ipswich be the sort of town that demonstrates it has the X-Factor?

The government certainly think so…..and I tend to agree!

Paul Clement

of Ipswich Central