Ipswich Market stalls switch sides of the Cornhill
Market stalls in Ipswich town centre have moved a few yards to face Westgate Street and Lloyds Avenue - and have a fresh blue-and-white striped look.
Why it matters: The council says the move creates room for more stalls and hopes it will attract new traders, while clearing the way for the next phase of improvements on Lloyds Avenue.
The details: Stalls have been operating opposite their previous location on the Cornhill since Tuesday, 6 October. The council says the new layout creates opportunities to increase the number of stalls while supporting the market's established traders.
- The stalls have been upgraded with a traditional blue-and-white striped design.
- Earlier this year, the council approved a budget of £25,000 to replace the market's gazebos, which was also set to cover ancillary costs linked to the relocation.
- When the plans were announced in July, the council said the new arrangement would give delivery vehicles enough space to access the area before 10:30 on market days.
What's next: The Lloyds Avenue scheme will deliver wider footways, new planting and landscaping, and improvements beneath Lloyds Arch, which the council says will create "a more attractive and accessible environment in the heart of the town centre."
For context: Ipswich Borough Council first proposed redeveloping Lloyds Avenue in December 2020 and secured funding for the scheme more than five years ago.
What they're saying: Speaking when the plans were announced in July, Councillor Jane Riley, portfolio holder for culture and customers, said the market had been "at the heart of our town for more than 700 years and remains one of our greatest assets."
"The move to the northern side of the Cornhill will provide a better long-term trading environment, create opportunities for growth, and help us attract new traders to join the thriving and diverse market offer that local people know and love," she added.
At the time, the council said initial feedback from traders during its consultation had been overwhelmingly positive.
The bottom line: Ipswich Market has moved only a matter of yards, but its new spot and blue-and-white makeover clear the way for the Lloyds Avenue works – and, the council hopes, more traders on the Cornhill.
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