Ipswich trader denies market is blocking Debenhams revamp

The former department store was bought by Cambridgeshire-based UNEX in 2021 after its closure - and by the end of that year was stripping it out ready for new occupiers.

At the start of last year the company was hopeful that at least part of the building might be occupied by Christmas.

Ipswich's former Debenhams is still empty. (Image: Paul Geater)

However, it is still empty and UNEX managing director Adrian Morris said part of the reason was potential tenants were put off by market stalls immediately outside it.

He said: "The ground floor is a large area and we have not been too keen to split it into numerous smaller units, even though there has been interest from several restaurant users. 

"However the market stalls that have started to pitch in front of the building on Westgate Street/Cornhill has certainly not helped in enabling us to attract tenants. 

"It would be hugely beneficial to have these stalls relocated away from the building frontage.

"Retailers rely on visibility and the presence of these market stalls significantly reduces visibility to the ground floor, particularly as they are locating themselves so tightly to the property’s boundary."

Mr Morris said he was talking to a number of potential ground floor occupiers - although those discussions were in the early stages.  

The stall most directly outside the former Debenhams on market days is Catchey's Fruit and Veg.

Mick Catchpole runs Catchey's Fruit & Veg. (Image: Paul Geater)

Its owner, Mick Catchpole, disputed Mr Morris' claims about the market.

He said: "That's rubbish! It sounds like an excuse for the fact that they can't find anyone to go in there.

"We're only in front of a small part of the shop, and if we were offered somewhere else on the Cornhill we'd be fine to move.

"When Debenhams was here the manager was always very happy on market days because it brought more customers into them!"

The market is run by Ipswich Council and leader David Ellesmere also has direct responsibility for the Cornhill.

David Ellesmere said market traders had been told some might have to move when Debenhams is redeveloped. (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "We know there are concerns from UNEX about the market - and we have had informal discussions with market traders about that.

"It's quite clear that if there was anyone wanting to move in there, the market traders would be offered an alternative pitch nearby - but as we understand it that is not going to happen in the near future."

Mr Morris said stripping out the building had taken longer than initially expected but had now been completed.

While the ground floor was likely to remain as retail, the company was still looking at other options for the first and second floors and was discussing these with the borough council.