What do people in Ipswich think of the new look Cornhill?
The fountain was turned on for the first time . Picture: Rachel Edge - Credit: Archant
The Cornhill in Ipswich has reopened after a nine month, £3.6m renovation – but what does the public think?
We visited the town centre on Saturday morning to take a snapshot of views from visitors.
The majority of the feedback was positive, although there were still some who questioned whether it had been worth the cost.
Simon Twitchett, who lives in Ipswich, thought that the renovation had been a huge success.
He said: “I think it’s brilliant. I think it’s moving with the times, it’s also bringing in people to the shops.
Ipswich Cornhill redevelopment opens. Picture: Rachel Edge - Credit: Archant
“In the summer I’ll be running through the fountains keeping cool.
“It was absolutely worth the money. If it makes people smile that’s always a good way to spend the money.”
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Jonathan Ramsay, who is a landscape architect, came to Ipswich just to see the new-look centre of the town.
He said: “I have followed this project closely and I am really impressed.
There were mixed opinions of teh new Cornhill. Picture: Rachel Edge - Credit: Archant
“I do think that people are not quite sure what to make of it but the initial impact is overly positive.”
However not everybody was so impressed, with the cost of the project remaining a bugbear for some.
Les Miller had high hopes for the project, but after coming to see the Cornhill for the first time said he felt let down.
He said: “There was supposed to be a ‘wow factor’ that we have been hearing about all year but quite honestly, I think it is a total waste of money.
Children were playing in teh fountain despite the cold weather. Picture: Rachel Edge - Credit: Archant
“I think it is old fashioned and out of date.
“It has taken a year to do it, and all I can see is that they have dug it all up to put down exactly the same thing.”
There were also complaints that the £3.6m budget was too high.
Barry White liked the old Cornhill and thought that the works did not need to be done in the first place.
He said: “I think the money could have been spent better elsewhere, like social housing for people to live in instead of wasting it here.”
Bernard White added: “Millions of pounds for what? A bit of water coming out the ground. Cornhill should always be for the market and nothing else.”
