New buffet restaurant to open at former pub and supermarket site

Posters in the window detail some of the opening offers. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

The Spoon World Buffet was first projected to come to Ipswich in 2016 after the premises of the old Iceland supermarket and the nearby Victoria Inn pub, in St Matthew’s Street, were bought to be converted into one massive restaurant.

But delays meant the opening date was pushed back throughout 2017.

Now signs have gone up and the eatery is expected to open its doors very soon – possibly even this month, bringing new jobs to the area.

The building still has paint on its windows to prevent onlookers getting a glimpse inside before it opens, but posters are now being displayed too.

It is located in St Matthew's Street Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

These advertise the latest opening time, special offers and that full-time and part-time staff are being hired.

A young woman who stopped to read the job advert and was upbeat about the opening.

“I think that the chance for people like students with no experience of restaurants could get a job here is great,” she said.

“It could be great. It looks very clean and modern outside and it’s close to the centre of town.

The Victoria Inn next to the old Iceland premises remains undeveloped. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

“Plus, the buffet is an affordable meal out.”

However, other shoppers raised voiced concerns about a potential lack of dedicated parking.

Although there is the 100-space Wolsey car park and the 350-space Spiral car park around the corner – as well as the brand new Crown car park next to the town centre swimming pool – the restaurant has not currently specified the number of diners it can cater for.

One passer by said: “I think the food they are going to serve will be very popular. It will go down well with all the cultures in town.”

The pub next door was also bought by developers but has not been used after planning permission changes. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

What do you think of the Spoon World Buffet coming to Ipswich? Let us know by email or on social media.

There had been projections of up to 40 jobs being made by the restaurant, but it is not know if the reduced size of the restaurant means less staff will be needed. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)