AN HISTORIC Ipswich company is delaying its move to new premises in Needham Market until it finds a buyer for its current base in the town.Peters Ice Cream, which has been in Grimwade Street for around 70 years, is hoping to move to the Lion Barn Industrial Estate.

AN HISTORIC Ipswich company is delaying its move to new premises in Needham Market until it finds a buyer for its current base in the town.

Peters Ice Cream, which has been in Grimwade Street for around 70 years, is hoping to move to the Lion Barn Industrial Estate.

Planning permission for the relocation has been granted by Mid Suffolk council, but the firm is waiting to sell its current premises before uprooting.

Talks have been held with interested buyers Redrow Homes, but these are currently in their early stages.

Owner Kevin Denny said: "I don't want to leave the premises unoccupied and derelict so it all depends on the outcome of the talks.

"I've spent most of my working career here and I need to see the site move on before I leave it."

Geoff Keer, of Redrow Homes, confirmed his company was in the "early stages" of negotiations about buying the site.

He said: "We're in talks but we haven't finalised anything. We would very much like to put together that area of town.

"There's various ways it could be done but, personally, I think it would do a lot for the street scene to put a residential development on it.

"I think it would be a good opportunity to tidy up the area."

The property developers are also behind the construction of around 36 one and two bedroom apartments, maisonettes and penthouses on adjoining land off Star Lane.

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