Only 18% of shoppers who took part in our survey on the future of Ipswich said they did their main Christmas shopping in the town centre.

The most popular shopping outlet for most people was online, with 37% saying that was where they bought most of their Christmas goods. A total of 21% said they visited other town centres, 18% said they used Ipswich town centre and 17% said they went to retail parks within five miles of Ipswich town centre. Just under 7% said they did their shopping at other outlets.

The figures clearly show the need to improve the town centre – but offered some hope to Ipswich Central, the Business Improvement District company.

Chief executive Paul Clement said: “There is a real opportunity for town centre stores to offer an improved ‘click and collect’ service – and we shall be working with them to develop that over the next year.”

By boosting “click and collect” it believes shoppers can be enticed back into the town centre to pick up goods they have ordered from shops – and that they will then be persuaded to stay in the town centre to visit other shops, cafes, or restaurants.