WATERFRONT: Work to transform the burnt-out shell of the former St Peter’s Warehouse into a temporary car park has started.

Demolition of the site began this week, with the developers expecting the project to be finished by October.

The Evening Star revealed last year that members of Ipswich Borough Council’s development and planning committee had given permission for the short-term car park to operate for three years once demolition work and restoration work was complete.

Located between Stoke Bridge and St Peter’s Church, the car park will be operated by RCP and will have space for up to 70 cars.

Tony Wakeling, general manager of RCP, said: “The burnt out warehouse will start coming down fairly quickly and we hope that the car park will be open for business by October.

“We’re hoping to fast track the car park and get it completed as quickly as possible.

“We have a very exciting and dynamic series of car parks throughout Ipswich and this will add to those.”

James Young, borough council Waterfront manager, said the car park would provide a boost to the Waterfront and its businesses.

“The car park will make visiting Ipswich Waterfront easier which can only be good for future development and prosperity,” Mr Young added.

For many years the Victorian warehouse was seen as a potential beacon for the future development of the Waterfront.

All that changed in a few hours on the night of April 13, 2000, when the building was ravaged by the most spectacular and ferocious fire seen in Ipswich for years.

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