HUNGRY shoppers have been forced to curb their craving for snacks at the Buttermarket shopping centre in Ipswich.

HUNGRY shoppers have been forced to curb their craving for snacks at the Buttermarket shopping centre in Ipswich.

The credit crunch and the slowdown in consumer spending appears to be putting off potential operators for the food court in the largest shopping centre in town.

The first floor food court at the Buttermarket shopping complex has been closed for several months, to the frustration of customers.

The Buttermarket's website advertises the Promenade as a newly refurbished food court offering “a wide selection of hot and cold snacks and meals” and encourages visitors to try Burger King's world famous flame grilled beef burger with fries and a portion of golden onion rings.

But anyone wanting a snack to break up their shopping trip will be bitterly disappointed when they arrive.

As well as the Burger King franchise, it also sold pizzas, baked potatoes, and had a sandwich bar.

According to sources at the Buttermarket centre, the company in charge of the food court went into administration some time ago.

Since then the shopping centre has been searching for another tenant to take the reins but nothing has yet materialised.

Café Giardino still remains on the ground floor but until an investor is found for the Promenade, shoppers looking for a little variety will have to put up with rumbling stomachs or find somewhere else to eat.