Buttermarket working to restore power after water burst

Why it matters: The Buttermarket, a shopping, dining and leisure destination on St Stephens Lane, closed on Friday, 28 August 2026, after the water main burst. Parts of the centre remain closed while contractors carry out electrical safety checks, affecting shoppers, tenants and staff.

The details: The centre closed that day as a precaution after a mains water escape. In a statement issued at the time, centre bosses said:

"We apologise for the inconvenience, but the Buttermarket Ipswich is closed temporarily as a precautionary measure following a burst water main. The health and safety of our visitors, tenants and staff is paramount, and we will reopen once necessary checks are carried out, and we are able to do so."

What's next: In a further update, the centre said it had been working with specialist contractors to assess the impact of the water escape and carry out the necessary works. Parts of the electrical systems remain switched off while essential checks and testing are completed.

"The safety and welfare of our visitors, tenants and staff remains our absolute priority," the update said. "We are working to restore areas of the centre to normal operation as soon as it is safe to do so."

The centre said it would provide a further update once more information was available.

TK Maxx has reopened today, accessible via the centre's Queen Street entrance.

The bottom line: Days on from the initial mains water escape, The Buttermarket is still working through electrical safety checks, with no confirmed date yet for a full reopening.

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