Work to rebuild Ipswich’s Cornhill starts on Monday – with the borough and its partners promising that the new-look square will bring the “Wow Factor” to the town centre.
And the town’s market will be opening in its new location on Tuesday – with stalls starting from the top of Princes Street and a new Food Court in Queen Street.
Local contractor Brooks & Wood is turning the Ipswich Vision Group’s Cornhill project into reality by transforming the town’s main square. Four iconic arches, a water feature, seating and exciting new paving will turn the Cornhill into a visitor attraction in its own right.
The project is being co-ordinated by the borough on behalf of the Ipswich Vision Group and is being funded by the borough, New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Central.
Ipswich Vision Chairman Terry Hunt said: “The Cornhill is the biggest and most prominent public open space in Ipswich town centre. As such, it sets the tone for the rest of the town.
“So it is absolutely vital that the Cornhill has a real ‘wow factor’ for shoppers, visitors, and residents alike. This important project will give Ipswich a town square to be proud of and I am confident this work will act as a catalyst for other improvements in the town centre experience.”
Borough leader David Ellesmere said: “This is a major investment by the Ipswich Vision partners in Ipswich town centre and is going to give us a Cornhill we can all be proud of. The start of work marks a real boost for the town and is a very visible sign that Ipswich is on the up.”
Meanwhile, the Ipswich town centre market is moving on Tuesday … but not far!
Stallholders will be located by the side of the Town Hall, just a few metres from their old home, and stretch down to Giles Circus and into Queen Street.
Ipswich Borough Council is leading a “Love Your Local Market” campaign, being launched, appropriately, on Valentine’s Day. The Council wants shoppers and the wider public to get behind the market as a vital piece of the town centre offer.
Some stallholders remain concerned that shoppers will not be able to find their favourite stall – but there are hopes that the new location will help draw shoppers towards Queen Street, the Saints and the route to the Waterfront.
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