Ipswich’s Buttermarket Centre has appointed a new manager to run the new leisure and shopping hub in the heart of the town.

Allan Hassell takes on the centre manager role, having previously worked at Clacton Factory Outlet and prior to that, retail management roles for Homebase and Big Clobber clothing.

The announcement comes with the news that Andrew Wilcox, existing centre manager, will be leaving Buttermarket to pursue new opportunities after 15 years.

Mr Hassell said: “I am really excited to have joined the marvellous team at the Buttermarket Shopping Centre as centre manager.

“Andrew Wilcox, as outgoing centre manager, has imparted a wealth of knowledge which will help to prepare me for the new challenges ahead and I’m very grateful to him for this.

“Living locally, I have been a regular shopper in Ipswich over the years and it’s great to see all the improvements taking place in the town; especially at the Buttermarket with major leisure store openings like Empire cinema, a host of top name restaurants and Superbowl this month too.

“Retail is now well and truly in my DNA and I’m looking forward to working with our retailers, as well as Ipswich Borough Council and Ipswich Central on their BID to promote the Buttermarket and the town as a whole.”

A spokesman for the Buttermarket’s management added: “We’d like to extend a warm welcome to Allan. It’s an exciting time to join with Superbowl UK, our newest family leisure venue opening this month.

“We’d also like to take the opportunity to thank Andrew Wilcox for his work over the past 15 years. He has helped to make the centre what it is today and we wish him the best of luck with his future endeavours.”

The centre is currently preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the Empire cinema – the flagship tenant in the refurbished Buttermarket, which is now more leisure-focussed.

The centre could soon have some new neighbours – Ken Ford, who led the capital and regional team who redeveloped the centre along with the Drum Property Group between 2015 and 2017, has now teamed up with owners of the former BHS store which is set to be converted into restaurants, a bar, and smaller shop units.