Ipswich Buttermarket centre marks 25th anniversary with music, dance and stilt walkers

Buttermarket Shopping Centre, Ipswich, celebrate 25th anniversary - manager, Andrew Wilcox with Ruby Chevous (left) and Emme Holland (right). Picture: NIGE BROWN (Image: Archant)

The popular shopping and leisure space opened on October 1, 1992 after a £64 million build.

Buttermarket Shopping Centre, Ipswich, celebrates 25th anniversary - manager Andrew Wilcox with Angel Grey (left) and Lily Holland (right). Picture:NIGE BROWN (Image: Archant)

On Saturday, following a raft of developments over the last two years which has brought fresh names such as Empire, Cosy Club and Byron Burger, the centre celebrated the occasion with a raft of entertainment including face painting and a special cake.

Buttermarket Shopping Centre, Ipswich, celebrates 25th anniversary - Annanya Ghate getting her face painted by Ellen Steensma of Wild Raspberry. Picture: NIGE BROWN (Image: Archant)

The Ipswich School of Dancing lined up a series of performances, live bands were playing to shoppers, Top Bananas stilt-walking display and magician and mind-reader Michael Gee.

Ipswich School of Dance performance to mark the 25th anniversary of the Buttermarket shopping centre. Picture: NIGE BROWN (Image: Archant)

A spokeswoman from the event said: “We have been very busy, and given that the centre is 25-years-old it is looking better than ever.

Boots is the only original store still open from the selection of shops and restaurants that opened initially back in 1992. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

“I think people are celebrating that with us, and we have had so many comments about how good the centre looks.”

In March 2015, The Buttermarket was bought by Capital & Regional and Drum Property Group for �9.2 million. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

The opening of the Buttermarket in October 1992. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)