ONE of the best-known retailers in Britain is to be the keynote speaker at the next Beacon Town conference in September.

Sir Stuart Rose is the former chairman and chief executive of Marks & Spencer who is credited with saving the retail institution when it came under threat of takeover in 2004.

He has a home in Suffolk – and has been a regular visitor to Ipswich.

MP Ben Gummer persuaded him to deliver the speech to the next Beacon Town conference which will take place on September 14. The first Beacon conference was held in February and the second one was originally planned for July but has been rescheduled to fit in with Sir Stuart’s arrangements.

Mr Gummer said: “I am delighted Sir Stuart will be able to join us at the conference and share his ideas on how to give the town a real boost.

“He really is one of the great retailers of our time and he has some great ideas. I’ve been round the town with him and he clearly knows Ipswich quite well so he will be worth hearing.”

The conference is just one way we are celebrating all that is good about Ipswich through the I Love Ipswich Campaign.

Tell us why you love living in Ipswich.