The Orwell Crossing services on the A14 near Ipswich could get a new drive-through Starbucks after plans were lodged by developers – and long term plans aim to establish a petrol station there too.
The services, located on the eastbound carriageway near Nacton, is the proposed site for a new Starbucks coffee shop lodged by Orwell Truck Stop Ltd.
If approved, it would be the fifth Starbucks in the Ipswich area.
The plans were lodged at the beginning of April and are currently in the consultation phase where stakeholders can comment on the proposals.
The matter will then go before planning officers or Suffolk Coastal District Council’s planning committee for a decision in May or June.
Chris Roberts from Orwell Truck Stop Ltd said: “We see that Felixstowe is the major port for the UK – particularly post-Brexit – and the roads are going to get busier so these offerings are required more and more.
“Lots of people particularly like Starbucks. We have a cafe but I think people will like the chilled out area and the outdoor seating.
“In the fullness of time there is likely to be a fuel station which will enhance the position because the only place people can fill up is Felixstowe.”
Bosses are eyeing a June or July start date for work, and could be open as early as September subject to planning being approved.
Existing Starbucks stores within the A12 and A14 ‘bowl’ are based at Ipswich Train Station, West End Road, Ipswich Cineworld and on the ground floor of the former Great White Horse Hotel in Tavern Street.
The plans signal the latest in a string of development plans in the area, after a section of 26 hectares behind the truck stop had been eyed for development into a new business park.
The plan proposes to use the existing entrance for the Orwell Crossing cafe to access the park, which Mr Roberts believes will bring in the region of 1,500 jobs on the site, and improvements at junctions 57 and 58.
That proposal is expected to go before planning committee in May.
Mr Roberts added that there were already a number of international firms expressing an interest in joining a potential business park.
A spokesman from Starbucks said it did not have any further details to share at this stage.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here