ipswich.gov.uk

The Conservative Group supports the principle of developing and regenerating the town centre to boost employment in the town. It is important that Ipswich is developed as a successful shopping centre, but it must be recognised that this means that major challenges have to be faced:

(i) The impact of on-line shopping which is growing rapidly.
(ii) Competition from better shopping destinations such as Norwich, Cambridge and even smaller towns such as Bury St Edmunds and Woodbridge.

The retail sector is seen as a high jobs growth sector in Ipswich between 2011 and 2031 in the EEFM. The town centre clearly has an important part to play in this and needs to be re-vitalised through such measures as:

(i) Residential development. Such development as proposed in the Mint Quarter and in DM20 supporting residential use in the Central Shopping Area above ground floor retail use is to be welcomed.
(ii) There is a need to extend car park provision to support shopping and tourism. The erection of electronic signs showing car park capacities would be a small move in the right direction.
(iii) Greater emphasis should be placed on cultural and tourist attractions in or near the town centre e.g. museums, Christchurch Mansion, galleries.
(iv) The proposed retail development at the Westgate site needs to be re-thought. The Central Shopping Area should be redefined omitting the Westgate site and concentrating on links between the town centre and the Waterfront. A simple town trail highlighting items of historic interest could be a simple - and inexpensive start.