The owner of a town shopping centre has said it's "heading in the right direction" with three new stores opening and more to come in the near future.

Sailmakers shopping centre in Ipswich has secured men's fashion brand Blue Inc as the new tenants for the store previously occupied by Top Shop and Top Man.

Blue Inc's former premises in the mall will now be taken up by health and beauty brand Bodycare.

Men's and womenswear store Leading Labels will also be moving into the former two-floor Top Shop and Top Man site, selling brands including Ben Sherman and Calvin Klein.

The announcement follows the purchase of the Sailmakers, which links Tower Ramparts Bus Station and Tavern Street, by property group ALB earlier this year.

"We're definitely heading in the right direction and, with a good wind behind us, we hope to fill the remaining units in the very near future," said Arran Bailey, ALB managing director.

"The current economic uncertainties and cost of living crisis means it's more important than ever that we put all hands on deck to encourage trade and make the terms affordable for traders.

"It appears that our efforts are working."

In addition to the three new shops opening, angling store Bex Bait & Tackle has more than doubled in size by moving to occupy two neighbouring units.

When ALB bought the shopping centre, it pledged to refurbish vacant units and offer cheaper, more flexible leases to attract new businesses on board.

Oliver Marshall, associate director of property agent FHP, which is jointly marketing the Sailmakers units said: "With their refreshing new approach, ALB has already improved the centre and been hugely proactive in creating an environment that will attract new tenants.

"It's great to see new tenants come in - and existing tenants take on far bigger spaces than they had previously."

Mr Marshall added: "We are, of course, eager to speak to anyone, from local independent brands to large international chains, interested in talking about any remaining opportunities at Sailmakers."