A town centre car park is to close for two years from next week to allow for the construction of a new school. 

Upper Orwell Street North car park will shut to drivers from 2pm on Monday, according to Ipswich Borough Council. 

Fifty-two spaces will be unavailable as a result. 

Work is due to start on the construction of a 420-place primary school in Carr Street, which will be run by the Active Learning Trust. 

The former Co-op department store will be demolished after planning permission, submitted by the Department for Education, was granted in 2021. 

The 'Harvest' mural, at the back of the derelict Co-op department store building.The 'Harvest' mural, at the back of the derelict Co-op department store building. (Image: Google Maps)

The project has faced a number of delays over the years. 

Asbestos was found in the Grade II listed mural at the rear of the building and had to be removed. 

The rare mural, in Cox Lane, is being preserved but has itself been at the centre of some of the delays. 

It was revealed removing the mural would cost nearly £470,000 as it could not be done in one complete section. 

The Harvest mural was created in the 1950s and 1960s and is one of just four surviving pieces. 

Created by Hungarian artists Gyula Bajo and Endre Hevezi, it comprises thousands of colourful square mosaic tiles, depicting the Greek mythology characters of Demeter, goddess of the harvest and the messenger Hermes. 

The new primary school will include a nursery, rooftop garden and multi-use games area, which would be enclosed by high fencing “to reduce the likelihood of balls ending up in the road”. 

Access for vehicles to the primary school be from Upper Barclay Street, although the car park will remain the same.

Ipswich Borough Council said once work is completed, the car park will return to drivers.

Other car parking spaces are available in Upper Orwell Street South, Bond Street or Regent car parks.