New store takes shape

IPSWICH'S fightback against the misery of recession continues to deal a knockout blow to the harbingers of economic dread.

The long-awaited Asda development in the Stoke Park area of the town, which is now only a few months from completion, is set to create 300 full and part-time jobs and boost Ipswich's already resilient economy.

The project was the subject of criticism from local residents and Ipswich Borough Council when the supermarket giant withdrew from the site in May 2007 following the withdrawal of its residential partner.

No other developers came forward to build the residential units which came as a condition of planning permission but the company announced last October it had appointed contractors to return to the site.

Just four months after construction work started, the new store is substantially complete . . . at least externally.

There is still much work to be completed on the site - and Stoke Park Drive itself is currently undergoing major changes to install a customer entrance to the new store.

When completed in the late summer the area will have a new supermarket with 2,500 square metres of sales area and a 229-space car park.

Richard Kirby, Sprites ward councillor and head of the local residents' association, said: “The store is still due to open on August 31 but already the cladding is going up and half of the tarmac for the car park has been laid, so things are steaming ahead.

“The new store will mean better local shopping and jobs as well as attracting people from a considerable area of this side of Ipswich.”

Will you be pleased to see the new Asda store open in Stoke Park? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk