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Ipswich town centre resurgence continues as Sports Direct prepares for opening next week

Sports Direct signs are now visible at the former BHS building, as the retailer prepares to open its doors on Friday, November 29 in a major boost for Ipswich's high street.

Why it matters: The 25,000 sq ft store marks the end of seven years of vacancy for one of Ipswich town centre's largest retail units, following BHS's closure in 2016, and is the latest development in Ipswich's town centre resurgence.

New signage now adorns the front of the new Sports Direct store
Oliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk
New signage now adorns the front of the new Sports Direct store

The big picture: Four major retail brands will share the space:

  • Sports Direct and USC will occupy the ground floor, with USC having its own entrance

  • GAME and Evans Cycles will join Sports Direct on the first floor

Behind the scenes:

  • Work began in July and has been ongoing for four months

  • The sports chain has been operating temporarily from the old H&M building since its Carr Street store closed

  • Flannels, another Frasers Group brand, opened next door on October 31

New Sports Direct sign at the rear of the new Fraser Group building in Ipswich
Oliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk
Signage has also gone up at the rear of the complex

What they're saying: A Frasers Group spokesperson said the store "will provide customers with access to the world's best sports and lifestyle brands."

The bottom line: The opening represents a significant investment in Ipswich town centre by Frasers Group, which acquired the building in 2020 with plans to bring multiple brands to the location.

Our content is free to read thanks to the generous support of Ipswich Sports Club, Ipswich Central and Gipping Construction

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Aerial view of Ipswich town centre and waterfront

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Ipswich Sports Club, Ipswich Central and Gipping Construction

Mark Petchey giving a coaching masterclass at Ipswich Sports Club

Ipswich Sports Club

Ipswich Sports Club is one of Suffolk’s leading independent, competitive racket sports and hockey clubs, with a rich history spanning over a century.
Aerial view of Ipswich town centre and waterfront

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Ipswich Central is the Business Improvement District (BID) for the town centre, waterfront, and 'Connected Town' area.
Gipping Construction doing on going renovations to outside of Ipswich Museum

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Ipswich Sports Club, Ipswich Central and Gipping Construction

Mark Petchey giving a coaching masterclass at Ipswich Sports Club

Ipswich Sports Club

Ipswich Sports Club is one of Suffolk’s leading independent, competitive racket sports and hockey clubs, with a rich history spanning over a century.
Aerial view of Ipswich town centre and waterfront

Ipswich Central

Ipswich Central is the Business Improvement District (BID) for the town centre, waterfront, and 'Connected Town' area.
Gipping Construction doing on going renovations to outside of Ipswich Museum

Gipping Construction

Based just outside Ipswich, Gipping Construction is an employee-owned construction company that operates in the private and public sectors across East Anglia.
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