New names have been cropping up around town this year, with the arrival of Frankie & Benny’s, Hawkshead and 99p Stores.

Ipswich Star: Hawkshead opened this winter in the former Early Learning Centre storeHawkshead opened this winter in the former Early Learning Centre store

More established brands such as Burtons, River Island and Three in the heart of town were given facelifts, with Dorothy Perkins moving into Burtons, and River Island taking on the former Dorothy Perkins store to afford them more space.

Ipswich Star: River Islands relocated to the former Dorothy Perkins store, their old unit remains vacantRiver Islands relocated to the former Dorothy Perkins store, their old unit remains vacant

The Travel Clinic opened in St Nicholas Street in August, while Savers opened in early autumn in Upper Brook Street.

Virgin Media opened a second store in the town while the 99p Stores took on Poundland and Yippee! It’s 99p in town.

Hawkshead is one of the newest additions to the town centre, opening in the former Early learning Centre in time for the Christmas shopping rush.

At Ravenswood, four new restaurants have been built - a Harvester, Toby Carvery, Chiquito’s and Frankie & Benny’s.

Elsewhere, independent retailers have seen the green shoots of recovery in the town and opened shops, or revamped their existing premises.

Which new stores would you like to see open in 2014?