TRADERS in Ipswich still believe there is a future for stores in the town despite a growing trade in internet shopping.Andy Rayner, from the East of England Co-op, is the retail spokesman for the Ipswich Partnership said: “The importance of online retailing has been increasing every year, especially in some of the niche markets like books, CDs and DVDs.

TRADERS in Ipswich still believe there is a future for stores in the town despite a growing trade in internet shopping.

Andy Rayner, from the East of England Co-op, is the retail spokesman for the Ipswich Partnership said: “The importance of online retailing has been increasing every year, especially in some of the niche markets like books, CDs and DVDs.

“Now we are seeing it expanding into other items like electrical goods - but there is still a future for traditional stores as well.

“However we do have to see the internet as a serious rival, not just a toy.

“Overall trading in the run-up to Christmas has been something of a mixed bag. Most retailers - ourselves included - have had good days and bad days.

“But on the whole it hasn't been outstandingly good or really bad. Given the circumstances in the town it's been as good as we could have hoped for.”

Despite the five murder inquiries which have been going on over the past two weeks, most traders Mr Rayner felt business had not been badly affected by the killings.

He said: “Given the time of year when all this has happened, people were still determined to go out and buy their Christmas presents anyway.

“I don't think there is any evidence that anyone thought they would go somewhere else rather than shopping in Ipswich because of this.”