Local businesses Threads For All, Bait & Tackle, and Beard Manners call for more council backing.
Local businesses Threads For All, Bait & Tackle, and Beard Manners call for more council backing.
Ipswich Businesses Urge Council Support Amid Town Center Concerns
Will Hamer, who runs Threads For All, said parking is a big problem, and customers complain about it often. Recently, parking prices increased again, with five hours now costing £8, up from £7.50. Will thinks the council should help. He says higher prices drive people away and believes the council should focus on bringing people into town. He organizes events to boost foot traffic, and he had a winter market before Christmas.
Neil MacDonald leads the borough council. He recognizes Ipswich’s vital role in business. He wants to work with businesses to boost the economy, stating that price hikes fund local services. He mentioned the Regent Theatre and Crown Pools as examples.
Ipswich Central offered free parking after 3 pm at Blackfriars car park. Will likes the idea, but suggests cheaper rates. He believes reduced rates could raise both foot traffic and revenue. A proposal to aid businesses failed, which would have used £306,000 to offset rate cuts. The council chose not to use its reserve funds.
MacDonald called the rate decision tough and acknowledged the council has financial problems. Despite these limitations, he still wants to help businesses. Will worries about independent shops, viewing this as a crucial moment. He wonders why the council won’t spend its reserve money on the town, and he wants to see big stores and new shops established.
Will likes the “city of culture” idea, hoping the council helps store owners regardless. He wants a better market like in Bury St Edmunds. Moreover, he wants the council to fill empty buildings and hold events.
Will said shops must be supported now, as no shops equals no city of culture in the future. Will believes the council must act and feels they are not incentivizing business, even though existing businesses host events. Will says his shop maintains a positive outlook and is there to help. However, sporadic openings make them lose hope and question their decisions.
Rebecca Eaks, who runs Bait & Tackle, also mentioned parking and rates. She shares many of Will’s concerns about the town. Rebecca said bringing shoppers back is key, and the council, groups, and businesses must help. Crime was a big concern of hers, though she noted that police and security presence are helping.
She also suggested better signs to point people to various parts of town, including the high street and the waterfront. Further, Rebecca wants stricter planning rules, feeling there are too many phone and vape shops. She believes landlords need to actively use their shops.
Rebecca still feels Ipswich may be turning around, and she praised the work by business leaders and organizations. She stated the council is not helping shops. Reduced parking fees for shoppers would be her proposition to support local businesses, as free parking hours are not helpful for most businesses. Rebecca wants rent reviews, asserting that overheads must be more realistic for incoming business, and increased safety will bring businesses.
MacDonald said the council offers help through shopfront grants and free events. He is also happy about Ipswich becoming a ‘city of culture.’ He indicated investment increases tourism. Support and strong communities are also goals, and working together promises a thriving Ipswich.
Jason Morris, who owns Beard Manners, thinks big brands are gone, creating a chance for independent shops. He wants better cooperation, as well as support from the council, such as grants or rate deals. Jason wants support for starting businesses, as many fear the starting costs. He said we need to attract people to Ipswich and change perceptions, giving people a reason beyond shopping to go out.
Jason said independent shops provide great service and offer shoppers a more personal, better experience. All three agreed people must change, with both negative attitudes hurting Ipswich. They emphasized that businesses should work together and support each other.
The council said it also improves areas besides downtown. The Greener Ipswich scheme links Christchurch Park to the waterfront, and Lloyds Avenue will be pedestrianized at a cost of about £1.4 million. MacDonald cited limitations, explaining that national rules limit control over business types. The council owns few shops and helps landlords fill empty spaces, although they can not force them to act. The council actively works to bring spaces into use.
Will Hamer, who runs Threads For All, said parking is a big problem, and customers complain about it often. Recently, parking prices increased again, with five hours now costing £8, up from £7.50. Will thinks the council should help. He says higher prices drive people away and believes the council should focus on bringing people into town. He organizes events to boost foot traffic, and he had a winter market before Christmas.
Neil MacDonald leads the borough council. He recognizes Ipswich’s vital role in business. He wants to work with businesses to boost the economy, stating that price hikes fund local services. He mentioned the Regent Theatre and Crown Pools as examples.
Ipswich Central offered free parking after 3 pm at Blackfriars car park. Will likes the idea, but suggests cheaper rates. He believes reduced rates could raise both foot traffic and revenue. A proposal to aid businesses failed, which would have used £306,000 to offset rate cuts. The council chose not to use its reserve funds.
MacDonald called the rate decision tough and acknowledged the council has financial problems. Despite these limitations, he still wants to help businesses. Will worries about independent shops, viewing this as a crucial moment. He wonders why the council won’t spend its reserve money on the town, and he wants to see big stores and new shops established.
Will likes the “city of culture” idea, hoping the council helps store owners regardless. He wants a better market like in Bury St Edmunds. Moreover, he wants the council to fill empty buildings and hold events.
Will said shops must be supported now, as no shops equals no city of culture in the future. Will believes the council must act and feels they are not incentivizing business, even though existing businesses host events. Will says his shop maintains a positive outlook and is there to help. However, sporadic openings make them lose hope and question their decisions.
Rebecca Eaks, who runs Bait & Tackle, also mentioned parking and rates. She shares many of Will’s concerns about the town. Rebecca said bringing shoppers back is key, and the council, groups, and businesses must help. Crime was a big concern of hers, though she noted that police and security presence are helping.
She also suggested better signs to point people to various parts of town, including the high street and the waterfront. Further, Rebecca wants stricter planning rules, feeling there are too many phone and vape shops. She believes landlords need to actively use their shops.
Rebecca still feels Ipswich may be turning around, and she praised the work by business leaders and organizations. She stated the council is not helping shops. Reduced parking fees for shoppers would be her proposition to support local businesses, as free parking hours are not helpful for most businesses. Rebecca wants rent reviews, asserting that overheads must be more realistic for incoming business, and increased safety will bring businesses.
MacDonald said the council offers help through shopfront grants and free events. He is also happy about Ipswich becoming a ‘city of culture.’ He indicated investment increases tourism. Support and strong communities are also goals, and working together promises a thriving Ipswich.
Jason Morris, who owns Beard Manners, thinks big brands are gone, creating a chance for independent shops. He wants better cooperation, as well as support from the council, such as grants or rate deals. Jason wants support for starting businesses, as many fear the starting costs. He said we need to attract people to Ipswich and change perceptions, giving people a reason beyond shopping to go out.
Jason said independent shops provide great service and offer shoppers a more personal, better experience. All three agreed people must change, with both negative attitudes hurting Ipswich. They emphasized that businesses should work together and support each other.
The council said it also improves areas besides downtown. The Greener Ipswich scheme links Christchurch Park to the waterfront, and Lloyds Avenue will be pedestrianized at a cost of about £1.4 million. MacDonald cited limitations, explaining that national rules limit control over business types. The council owns few shops and helps landlords fill empty spaces, although they can not force them to act. The council actively works to bring spaces into use.