Ipswich Borough Council’s Executive will be asked to review the progress of the Towns Fund shopping parade project, and to authorise the grant agreements.
Funding for the project forms part of the £25m Towns Deal for Ipswich, and will deliver improvements to small and large shopping parades across Ipswich. Businesses, residents, MPs and councillors have worked together to determine a programme of activity that will encourage people to visit and spend more time and money in their local shopping area.
After extensive consultation, the areas identified for improvement include plans to install new benches, bins, more CCTV, new planters, and planting, as well as working together to determine the drivers for increasing footfall.
The project will also provide grants to local community organisations working near local shopping parades so that they can improve their facilities and help more local people.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, says:
“Improvements to our Local Shopping Parades will encourage more visitors, longer stays, and more spend in the shops. These projects support the Council’s long-term vision to provide economic growth and opportunities for local people.
One element of this initiative is to provide grants to local community groups, and the Council is thrilled to have 13 proposals which will offer benefits to the community and support the shopping parades to bring in more visitors.”
Azzouz El-Mahraoui, Chair of Shopping Parade Taskforce, says:
“With an estimated £2.8 million budget, our aim is to establish safe areas where residents and communities can spend time, creating vibrant shopping facilities which are used by all.
These substantial projects will create opportunities for local businesses to use this funding to create better community and shopping hubs.
The task force is here to work with the political leaders, partners, local businesses, and residents to turn this project into a great success.”
