Ipswich developer John Howard to bring new life to The Mill

John Howard, who completed the Winerack further along the Waterfront a few years ago, bought the tallest building in Suffolk for a nominal sum, but said it would take at least £30million to finish the job.

John Howard turned the Winerack from a skeleton into one of the most desirable developments in Ipswich. (Image: Newsquest)

He said: "This job is at least twice as big as the Winerack and very complex.

"The high tower is just a shell and the cladding will all have to go so it will look like the Winerack did while the work gets underway.

"But there are leaseholders and tenants in some of the building and, of course, there is DanceEast so we have to work around all those factors."

Part of the cladding on The Mill was blown away by the St Jude's Storm in 2013.

The Mill, far left, is a short distance from the Winerack that was completed by Mr Howard five years ago. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Howard hopes to be on site in about a year and for the work to take at least two years - but his experience as a developer tells him it may not be that simple.

He said: "Don't hold me to that timespan. I shall be talking to the borough council and to [new MP] Jack Abbott to see what help local and national government can offer."

The Mill is 233 feet high and has 23 storeys - although it might be necessary to reduced the height by a floor or two, Mr Howard said.

Mr Abbott said he would be delighted to talk to the developer about completing The Mill.

He said: "We know money is tight but I'd like to speak to John with the borough to see what can be done to make this project as easy as possible.

"We know it will be challenging but  it is extremely  important for the Waterfront and indeed the whole town."