Ipswich Central boss sums up 2022 and hopes for town in 2023

Sophie Alexander‑Parker Ipswich Central CEO said Ipswich has been struggling with many challenges facing other towns and cities across the UK including the pandemic, Brexit, the war in Ukraine and then the cost-of-living crisis.

Ms Alexander‑Parker added: “Not only do businesses struggle, but families are also feeling the impact of those challenges, especially with the rising cost of energy and food prices.

Sophie Alexander‑Parker Ipswich Central CEO (Image: Cherry Beesley/Simply C Photography Simply C Photography)

“This means that people will spend less money on shopping, and they are going to be extra cautious with how they spend.

“I do feel for the businesses, they went through Covid and have been so resilient in terms of the way that they've been able to change the way they work.

“Particularly independent businesses, they have done a great job coming out of Covid.

“We’ve almost passed the global pandemic, but now we’re being hit by the rising cost of living, which is very tough for businesses.”

The Ipswich business boss has been in touch with many independent business owners who try to remain positive when it comes to their future.

The Ipswich Central CEO said: “Retail is declining in the town centre, but this isn’t just an Ipswich challenge, and this has been happening over many years.

“Our approach and the strategy for the future of Ipswich is to create a more connected town centre and Waterfront, where you've got a lot of things that are rubbing up against each other.

“Potentially more community use would be good for Ipswich, and bringing more housing within the town centre is key for the town centre to work.”

Ms Alexander‑Parker pointed out that creating the “right mix of businesses” within the town centre is the key.

She added: “We need a range of cafés, restaurants, bars and retail of course, with service led offering too.

“We also need units where we've got residents, which is another element of the connected town. It creates the uniqueness and the feel of a town centre that actually is thriving.

“It is really important that we don't just look at things as an individual building space, we have to focus on the overall strategy, on the vision for the town and how it fits in, and we need to be brave enough to make those decisions.

“Bringing more residents into the town means they are likely to shop locally.”

Christmas shopping in Ipswich (Image: Newsquest)

Ms Alexander‑Parker said that Ipswich will have to transform to fulfil its potential.

“It’s about the change. Sure, it's not great losing H&M from the High Street but the unit is not going to be left vacant.

“H&M closing down is a wider business decision for them, and they're doing it across the country. The same as M&S they are moving out of town as their strategy.

“This moment in time can be an opportunity for many businesses. We have to take it as an opportunity, not a negative.”

Next year Ipswich Central plans to launch Wolsey 550, a huge heritage campaign which will for 18 months engage schools and businesses in community activity, history walks, talks and more.

Ms Alexander‑Parker said that the initiative will be “a positive push for the town”.

“All businesses can get involved and spread their wings in this project.”

The business boss also said that the footfall in the town centre is still about 20% less than it was pre-pandemic.

“It is increasing, and the key to that increasing is people having the confidence to come back in that they've got the things in Ipswich.

“We need to bring people back into the town centre to experience activities and events that are a combination of us working together with IBC, partners and businesses.

“I would like Ipswich to become a destination that people want and choose to come to.“

In 2023 and beyond, Ipswich Central hopes to see progress with the start and completion of a few more of the town deal projects within the town centre, funded by £25 million awarded to Ipswich via the Towns Deal funding.