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Concerns as town's 11th phone repair shop set to open

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We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Another day, another phone shop in Ipswich.

The big picture: Fresh off July's grand opening of iCrack, the town's tenth phone repair shop, the former Hotter Comfort Concept store on Tavern Street is set to become the town's eleventh.

iRepair and iVape is set to be the town's twelth phone repair store
iRepair and the adjoining iVape will become the town's eleventh mobile phone repair shopWill Hamer

Why it matters: Many residents and business owners are concerned that the prevelance of phone repair shops is exacerbating the town centre's challenges and negatively impacting other businesses.

What they're saying: Speaking to Ipswich.co.uk, Will Hamer, who runs the brilliant Threads for All shop on the Walk in Ipswich, raised his frustrations:

"These guys pop up everywhere and seem to some how succeed in a clearly saturated market.

"It devalues the town, nobody’s going to come and visit Ipswich to see its many phone shops, we need unique stores that are going to bring people in."

And he's not alone: I can say from firsthand conversations I've had with residents, and following reader feedback from a previous story on the number of phone shops in the town, that Will's frustrations are shared by many others.

The other side: It's another disused store that is now occupied, and while the abundance of phone shops may seem excessive to some, it could indicate a thriving, albeit very competitive, market.

Zooming out: According to Ibis, the UK phone repair market will be worth an estimated £706m in 2024, a 9.9% increase from 2023. There are 616 businesses in the UK employing over 3,300 people.

By the numbers:

  • Ipswich accounts for 0.2% of the UK's population but 1.8% of the UK's phone shops.

  • If Ipswich accounts for 0.2% of the UK phone repair market, it is worth an estimated £1,412,000 – £128.4k per shop.

The bottom line: iRepair will become the town's eleventh phone repair shop, but will it be it's last? Only time will tell.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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Man charged after St Helen's Street assault leaves victim in hospital

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An argument in Ipswich town centre escalated into an assault that left one man in hospital on Tuesday. Police are now seeking dashcam footage as they build their case.

Why it matters: The incident occurred in a busy area of Ipswich's town centre, with police now seeking public assistance to gather additional evidence as they build their case.

The details: Keith McKenzie, 48, of Bond Street, has been charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm.

  • The assault took place at approximately 21:45 on Tuesday near the junction of St Helen's Street and Bond Street

  • A man in his 30s sustained arm injuries following an argument with an unknown assailant

  • The victim walked to Tavern Street to seek help before being taken to hospital

  • He has since been discharged

What's next: McKenzie appeared at Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday, 6 February and was remanded in custody. He is due to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday, 6 March.

How to help: Detectives want to hear from anyone who was driving in the area between 21:35 and 21:50 on Tuesday with dashcam footage that might have captured the altercation.

The bottom line: Anyone with information should contact South CID at Suffolk Police, quoting reference 37/6562/25, via:

  • Website: suffolk.police.uk/tell-us

  • Phone: 101

  • Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111 (anonymously)

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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