Ipswich The Saints roads could close as businesses back idea

The Saints, comprising of St Nicholas Street and St Peters Street in Ipswich, could close as businesses, police and Tom Hunt MP back plans for it to close to vehicles.

The plan is to trial the shutting of the roads for Ipswich home games, creating more of a European feel to the streets, with independent businesses able to have more people out in the streets.

Gareth Harper, owner of Bar Twenty One, has been one of the driving forces in trying to make something happen.

Gareth Harper outside Bar Twenty One with his Ipswich Town flag, as the pub is a popular destination for Town fans (Image: Tom Cann)

He said: "This area has so much potential.

"It's a perfect straight road going from the waterfront to Falcon Street, and they could perfectly link together.

"Talks are still ongoing, it's not something that can happen overnight, but things are happening.

"All the businesses on St Nicholas Street are backing the plans so we just need the powers at be to give us the go-ahead.

"Suffolk Police are really behind it and want it to happen because there will be lots of fans here and it's easier for them to police.

"We get so many people coming to us for matchdays, and we can't thank them enough, and this just allows for more space."

Gareth Harper outside Bar Twenty One with his Ipswich Town flag, as the pub is a popular destination for Town fans (Image: Tom Cann)

Cafe Myra, run by Lianne Willis and Russell Hill, opposite Bar Twenty One, is also behind the idea.

Lianne said: "We have a lovely community, lots of lovely shops.

"We want more people to know we are here, so not just for matchdays, it would be great if this became a destination for people to come and utilise the space outside.

"St Peters Street have its markets, which are great, it would be fantastic to do that more regularly and host those events.

"It would be great to have all our furniture outside together. It would have a real European feel about it."