PRESS RELEASE: Suffolk New College Submits Planning Application for New Education Suite at Grimwades Building
Ipswich Borough Council, in partnership with Suffolk New College, is delighted to announce the submission of a planning application to transform the first floor of the historic Grimwades building into a state‑of‑the‑art Education Suite.
The first floor of the Grimwades building, which has been unused for many years, will now be brought back to life as part of the Council's ambitious plans to regenerate the town centre.
The Cornhill has been the beating heart of the town centre since the Middle Ages. When it thrives, the town thrives. Prior to the Council taking direct action to support the regeneration of the town centre by acquiring the Grimwades building in April 2025, it had been vacant since 2012, resulting in its condition deteriorating and adversely affecting the vibrancy of the town centre. Since then, the Council has worked tirelessly to ensure this important landmark building adds to the vibrancy of the town centre by carefully repairing and renovating the fabric of the building while sourcing new occupiers, with Jamaica Blue opening in July 2025 and Lovisa opening last week.
With funding provided from the Government Local Regeneration Fund, formerly known as the Towns Fund, the proposed Education Suite will feature modern, accessible facilities designed to meet the needs of both learners and employers.
Subject to planning permission, completion of the grant agreement, and Suffolk New College carrying out the required internal works, this exciting development will create high‑quality learning opportunities for adults aged 18 and over, with a strong emphasis on upskilling and improving employability. With excellent public transport links and ample parking, the site will be easily accessible for students across the region, with the wider town centre economy benefiting from increased footfall, dwell time and spend from the students brought to the area.
Jack Abbott, MP, says:
“This is another welcome step forward in bringing the historic Grimwades building back into meaningful use at the heart of Ipswich.
By combining regeneration with investment in skills and education, this project will open up new opportunities for local people while bringing an empty town centre space back into use and building on the green shoots we are seeing in Ipswich.
The partnership between Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk New College is a good example of local collaboration delivering real results for our community. Suffolk New College does incredible work supporting young people and adult learners to gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed, and this new Education Suite will build on that success.
I’m proud to support a development that both preserves an important landmark and invests in the future of our town.”
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, says:
“This development represents a significant investment in the future of Ipswich. By creating a modern learning environment, we are helping individuals and businesses thrive while supporting the town’s regeneration.
This is an exciting time for Ipswich, and we’re thrilled to see such varied uses of buildings within the town. This goes a long way toward future‑proofing our community and providing services that meet everyone’s needs.”
David Ralph, Chair of Ipswich Vision and the Town Deal Board, says:
“This development is a powerful example of what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared vision for the town’s future. Transforming an unused space into a high‑quality learning environment will have a long‑lasting impact on our economy and our communities. It supports our ambition to bring activity, opportunity, and confidence back into the heart of Ipswich.”
While the new Education Suite is expected to be up and running by May 2026, Suffolk New College is looking forward to welcoming its first new cohort of students in September 2026.
Alan Pease, Principal of Suffolk New College, says:
“This is a fantastic step in supporting the skills development of our community. This project will give adults the tools they need to succeed in a rapidly changing job market, while also helping to revitalise Ipswich town centre.”
As part of the Towns Fund initiative, this project aims to support local economic growth by increasing footfall and contributing to the town’s vibrant nighttime economy. The curriculum will include strong digital elements, aligning with the Digital Ipswich initiative to ensure learners gain essential digital skills for the future workplace
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Notes to editors
The building dates to 1884 and, although architecturally significant and prominent, it is not a listed building. There are three main floors (Ground, 1st and 2nd) plus a basement. It occupies a prominent corner position on the north‑western corner of The Cornhill at Westgate Street. The building was initially two separate premises, thought to have been joined together in the 1960s or 1970s.
The Towns Fund is a scheme launched by the Government for towns such as Ipswich to boost economic productivity and support sustainable growth. This is achieved through investments in urban regeneration, digital and physical connectivity, skills, heritage and enterprise infrastructure. Ipswich was awarded £25m of funding in 2021 to give an economic boost to the town.