Vans have been spotted in Ipswich's Arras Square carrying out works inside the former BHS store.

In March plans were announced for Frasher Group to open four stores in the town centre site that has been vacant since 2016.

In June, the group submitted plans to Ipswich Borough Council to house five businesses how with proposals on the building would look internally and externally once fully taken over. 

The stores set for the town include Sports Direct, GAME, Evans Cycles, USC and Flannels. 

Vans have been spotted on Arras Square to help cary out initial work.Vans have been spotted on Arras Square to help carry out initial work. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

Although permission is not yet granted Fraser Group can carry out minor internal works.Although permission is not yet granted Fraser Group can carry out minor internal works. (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

Vans has now been spotted behind the building to carry out the works ahead of the group's plans with an estimated reopening date believed to be mid-December.

Although plans have not yet been approved by the borough council, Fraser Group can carry out minor internal works to the building and have cut back some trees for vehicle access. 

High-end retailer Flannels will occupy most of the ground floor space.High-end retailer Flannels will occupy most of the ground floor space. (Image: Google Maps)

Once approved, the plans state that the high-end retailer Flannels will take up the majority of the ground floor, with USC and Sports Direct taking up a portion.

On the first floor, Sports Direct will take up the majority, with sections being carved out to facilitate Evans Cycles and GAME.

Sports Direct will be moving out of their current location on Carr Street.Sports Direct will be moving out of their current location on Carr Street. (Image: Archant)

USC, Flannels and Sports Direct will have separate entrances dotted across the site.

However, concerns have been raised over the signage for four of the five shops being visible from outside the building.

The borough council's conservation and design panel has asked for these signs to be lowered and less illuminated, to not be intrusive to pedestrians. 

The site has been vacant since BHS collapsed nationwide in 2016.The site has been vacant since BHS collapsed nationwide in 2016. (Image: Newsquest)

The Fraser Group purchased the building in 2020 and has been in talks to open their outlets in the building ever since.

The building, which measures at 25,000 square feet, has been left empty since 2016 when BHS collapsed and closed stores nationwide.

The application for these major retailers was called "exciting news" by various Ipswich councillors and business leaders.