The controversial modern Christmas tree has completed its move from Ipswich Cornhill to the waterfront. What do you make of its new home?

More than 90% of readers agreed with the decision to bring back a traditional Christmas tree to the Cornhill when the news was announced earlier this month.

The modern interpretation has courted controversial every year since making its debut in the town centre in 2012, splitting opinion among shoppers. Supporters admired its artistic expression. Traditionalists disliked change.

Ipswich Star: The modern Christmas Tree put up in Ipswich Cornhill in recent years has found a new home outside the University of Suffolk. Picture: SUFFOLK CONSTABULARY/IPSWICH CENTRAL POLICEThe modern Christmas Tree put up in Ipswich Cornhill in recent years has found a new home outside the University of Suffolk. Picture: SUFFOLK CONSTABULARY/IPSWICH CENTRAL POLICE (Image: Archant)

But it has now found a new home along the waterfront, by the University of Suffolk’s question mark sculpture.

The centrepiece will light up at exactly the same time as the traditional tree in the Cornhill next week. The Cornhill Christmas lights switch-on event starts at 6.45pm on Thursday, November 16.

Ipswich Star: The modern Christmas Tree put up in Ipswich Cornhill in recent years has found a new home outside the University of Suffolk. Picture: UNIVERSITY OF SUFFOLKThe modern Christmas Tree put up in Ipswich Cornhill in recent years has found a new home outside the University of Suffolk. Picture: UNIVERSITY OF SUFFOLK (Image: Archant)

Tim Greenacre, registrar and secretary at the University of Suffolk, said: “We are pleased to be able to support Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) with providing a location for the contemporary Christmas tree.

“It will make a great addition to the Waterfront over the festive period and I am sure will be enjoyed by students, staff and the community.”

On Twitter, Edward Packard ‏said: “The bauble tree is going up at the University of Suffolk - it really goes well with the masts of the yachts in the marina.”

“I know people are a bit ‘marmite’ about the bauble tree but I love it. Sort of gaudy but somehow glitzy at the same time,” said Twitter user SpiralSkies.

An IBC spokesman said: “We want to thank the University of Suffolk for hosting the tree. This year Ipswich has the best of both worlds, with a traditional tree on the Cornhill and the modern artificial one on the Waterfront.

“We are all looking forward to the Ipswich Christmas experience getting under way next Thursday and hope that the town’s businesses have a successful festive season.”