In recent years, Ipswich has evolved into a regional centre of excellence with lots of stylish places to eat and drink, great shopping with a good representation of high street stores and smaller independent shops, and excellent leisure and entertainment facilities.
The town centre in particular has experienced big changes over the past six months. In April 2007 Ipswich Central was introduced as the company that had been created to run the town centre Business Improvement District (BID), following a successful ballot amongst businesses in 2006.
The BID has provided a new way of managing the town centre and brings a concentrated £3.2m investment into the retail heart of Ipswich to benefit businesses, residents and visitors alike.
The improvement projects under the BID are grouped into 6 themes: Safe and Secure, Clean and Bright, Out and About, Target and Tell, Look and Feel, and Aims and Ambitions. Further information on the Ipswich BID can be found on the Ipswich Central website (link opens in a new window) or by contacting the team on 0845 155 3030.
Ipswich town centre has a great range of shopping facilities. Many leading national retailers have space in Ipswich, either on one of the main thoroughfares such as Tavern Street and the Buttermarket, or in one of the two large shopping complexes - Tower Ramparts and The Buttermarket. Recent additions including H&M, Hawkins Bazaar and TJ Hughes, complement well established stores such as Gap, River Island, British Home Stores, TK Maxx, Monsoon, Warehouse, Marks and Spencers and Debenhams.
Ipswich is proud of its strong core of independent retailers who are successful in the town. The street pattern of the central Ipswich area has little changed since Mediaeval and Saxon times and these smaller streets and historic buildings lend themselves well to the independent, boutique style of retailer. They can be found in various locations around Ipswich including The Walk and Dial Lane, St Peters and St Nicholas Streets, and Fore Street and Upper Orwell Street.
Ipswich is truly a town of contrasts. It's vibrant shopping district and variety of entertainment facilities are complemented by over 800 acres of parkland and recreation grounds, and its central conservation area boasts more than 600 listed buildings, including 12 mediaeval churches.
For more information on what to see and do in Ipswich and its town centre visit www.visit-ipswich.com (link opens in a new window).