Why it matters: The works will ensure the church, which now houses community hub and café Realise Futures St Lawrence Café, can continue to be used safely.
The details: In December 2023, Ipswich Borough Council leader Neil MacDonald wrote a report stating that work would cost £280,000 to repair the Grade II* listed building.
In the report, he said that "it was noted certain areas of the church tower stonework was bulging and at risk of falling on to the public below".
Scaffolding was swiftly put up around the exterior and has been in place since.
In November 2024, the council submitted a planning application to conduct the repair work on the building, and this was approved in December 2024.
For context: In the early 1970s, there was virtually no one left residing in the parish of St Lawrence, and it was soon closed down and declared redundant.
However, in 2006, Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council jointly developed the church as a community resource centre and its restoration was funded entirely by the councils.
This work led to its bells being returned in 2009 for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century.
These five bells, four cast in the 1450s and a fifth added in the 1480s, are the oldest circle of five bells in the world.
The bottom line: The repair work will preserve a significant piece of Ipswich's heritage whilst ensuring the building can continue serving the community as a café and hub supporting people into employment.
Businesses are open as usual.
At this Ipswich café, careers begin with conversation
Chloe used to stay in bed all day with no energy. Now she trains new staff and works four days a week at an Ipswich café where people thrive.
It cost us ~£20 to produce this article
Our content is free to read thanks to the generous support of Kingsfleet, All About Hearing and David Button Funeral Directors
Spend your time and money as you wish
Award winning, independent financial planners helping the people of Suffolk reach their financial objectives.
Exceptional hearing care with a personal touch
Suffolk’s independent hearing specialists, combining expert care, cutting-edge technology and personalised service to help you hear at your best.
Independent family funeral directors
We are an independent funeral director based in Walton, Felixstowe and cover all local areas, including Ipswich.Ipswich shoplifter back behind bars just months after previous conviction
A man jailed in August for stealing over £1,000 from Ipswich supermarkets is back in prison after being caught stealing again just weeks later, highlighting the challenges of repeat offending in the town centre.
Refill shop launches FIND food bank collection on Woodbridge Road
Customers at Unwrapped & Refill in Ipswich can now pick up an extra tin or jar and drop it in a FIND (Families in Need) donation basket, helping Ipswich families facing hardship this Christmas and beyond.
Twenty-three years of hope and heartbreak: Why Broomhill Pool campaigners refuse to give up
Despite two failed attempts to secure funding for one of Britain's finest lidos, the Broomhill Pool Trust chairman is urging stakeholders to "finally get the project over the line" – arguing the scheme is ready-made with planning permission, design approval, and unprecedented public support.Nearly 5,000 military homes in East of England set for major upgrade
Armed forces families in nearly 5,000 military homes across the East of England will benefit from a new Defence Housing Strategy that commits £9 billion over the next decade to upgrade and modernise military accommodation.New project aims to shine light on 'unrecorded' disability experiences in Suffolk
A new heritage project will capture the lived experiences of people with disabilities in Suffolk, addressing a gap in historical records while challenging perceptions about inclusion and accessibility in communities today.Kingsfleet, All About Hearing and David Button Funeral Directors
Spend your time and money as you wish
Award winning, independent financial planners helping the people of Suffolk reach their financial objectives.Exceptional hearing care with a personal touch
Suffolk’s independent hearing specialists, combining expert care, cutting-edge technology and personalised service to help you hear at your best.Independent family funeral directors
We are an independent funeral director based in Walton, Felixstowe and cover all local areas, including Ipswich.Over 1,500 Suffolk residents sign petition calling for quieter fireworks
More than 1,500 people across Suffolk have signed a petition urging the government to reduce the maximum noise level for consumer fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels.More than 8,600 Ipswich and Central Suffolk residents sign petition against digital ID cards
Thousands of residents in the Ipswich and Central Suffolk and North Ipswich constituencies have signed a parliamentary petition opposing the introduction of digital ID cards, making it the most popular petition in the area.Blues show steel to salvage point against in-form Hornets
Ipswich Town demonstrated their growing resilience on Tuesday night, recovering from an early setback to earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw against a Watford side that had hammered second-placed Middlesbrough 3-0 just days earlier.
87-year-old veteran leads Ipswich march as Medals2Matches creates space for heroes to share stories
Phil Hubert, 87, performed The Last Post before leading veterans through Ipswich town centre to Portman Road on Tuesday, 4 November, in a moment that captured the spirit of Medals2Matches – an initiative that has helped veterans open up, connect, and speak about their wellbeing for four years.Sackers sells trade waste arm to Biffa
National waste firm Biffa has acquired the trade waste arm of Sackers, a long-established scrap yard and waste management company based near Ipswich, for an undisclosed sum.Kingsfleet, All About Hearing and David Button Funeral Directors
Spend your time and money as you wish
Award winning, independent financial planners helping the people of Suffolk reach their financial objectives.Exceptional hearing care with a personal touch
Suffolk’s independent hearing specialists, combining expert care, cutting-edge technology and personalised service to help you hear at your best.Independent family funeral directors
We are an independent funeral director based in Walton, Felixstowe and cover all local areas, including Ipswich.Ipswich IT firm ICS reports 30% growth and expands team
ICS, an IT support company based in Ipswich, has reported 30% growth over the past year and increased its headcount by 25% in the last three months.How you can help local children wake up to gifts this Christmas
Shoppers at the Buttermarket Centre can donate new toys and food items to ensure no Ipswich family goes without this festive season, with donations accepted until 14 December.
