Independent business in The Saints area of Ipswich are getting together to promote retail and leisure on their streets.

Ipswich Star: Summer Artisan Market - Sunday 17 June, 10am-4pmSummer Artisan Market - Sunday 17 June, 10am-4pm (Image: Archant)

The Saints is one of the main thoroughfares from the town centre to the historic waterfront and is home to an eclectic mix of independent shops, pubs and restaurants.

Now some of the established traders in the area - which includes St Nicholas Street and St Peter’s Street - have formed a Community Interest Company (CIC) to promote The Saints.

Cathy Frost, of Love One gift and card shop said: “This is something new and exciting.

“We want to organise events and tap into various funding to promote the area.”

The first event is the Saints Artisan Craft Market on Sunday June 17, from 10am to 4pm.

Mrs Frost said: “We have three directors, myself Lynn Turner of Cake & Catwalk and Zoe Woods of Crafty Baba and a lot of support from the other businesses. This is our first run out.

“We had craft markets in the past but for various reasons, including bad weather, we didn’t have any in 2017.

“The plan is to have two craft markets a year, initially, and then perhaps other events.”

All About Ipswich has supported the initiative by funding the poster for the event, which has been designed by local artist Lulu Horsfield.

Mrs Frost said: “On Sunday week we will have market stalls and traders, there will be craft beer, and we hope to have buskers. The Thomas Wolsey will have live music from Silbury Hill.”

Mrs Frost said the retail trade was currently going through “difficult times”.

“Independent traders are the life-blood of the town and we have to do something different,” she said.

“Organising a street market is a big challenge, involving things like road closures and insurance. We would like to develop from this. Perhaps in the longer term we can do something once a month.”

Mrs Frost said there had been a lot of support for the initiative.

“The mayor of Ipswich, Jane Riley, has already said she will come down,” she added.

The Saints area is also steeped in history with many buildings dating back to Tudor times. The most famous connection is to Cardinal Wolsey whose statue is on St Peter’s Street marking the place of his birth.

“We would like to develop from this. Perhaps in the longer term we can do something once a month,” she added.