More than 100 people have aired their views and ideas about the future of the town centre as an ambitious project to transform the Cornhill in Ipswich gets under way.

Architects were on hand to speak with people at a public meeting on Tuesday as they begin to draw up their proposals for the initiative, aimed at increasing the number of visitors to the town.

The project was born following the second Beacon Ipswich conference, organised and supported by The Ipswich Star, where retail guru, Sir Stuart Rose, challenged town leaders to transform the area.

Ipswich Borough Council leader, David Ellesmere, said: “We are very pleased with the number of people who came along and gave their views.

“I think it shows people really do care about the future of the Cornhill.

“What we are looking for is the absolute best that we can get for the Cornhill and to do that it needs to be something that works for people living in Ipswich and those people who want to come and shop in Ipswich.”

Earlier this year, architects were asked to tender for the Cornhill redevelopment design work, with a shortlist of five being selected.

They have to submit detailed plans by August 23 and the designs will be put on display on September 3.

The winning design will be selected by the middle of September.

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