Ipswich business leaders have backed a message there is a lot coming to the town as more than 4 million people have visited so far this year.

Footfall data from Ipswich Central says between January and September this year 4.5million visitors have been recorded.

During Covid hit 2021, this figure was 4 million for the whole year. 

This comes after Ipswich Borough Council's scrutiny and overview committee discussion over the footfall and the state of the town centre.

At that meeting, council leader Neil MacDonald said that while the council's data shows a fall in footfall during the last quarter of 2023/24 - they do not believe this data is accurate as they say that the system they were using is not up-to-date. 

Ipswich Central added that 43 businesses have opened or moved into larger premises in the first half of the year.

Lee Walker, Ipswich Central CEO. Lee Walker, Ipswich Central CEO. (Image: Ipswich Central) Lee Walker, Ipswich Central CEO said: “In the first half of 2024, 43 new businesses have opened in the town centre or moved into new larger premises.

"Flannels has opened in the Buttermarket recently and Sports Direct will open in new larger premises soon.

"Ipswich Bazaar has opened in the former Woolworths building and Kervan Kitchen in Cardinal Park."

Ipswich leader Neil MacDonald said that there were new things coming to the town. Ipswich leader Neil MacDonald said that there were new things coming to the town.  (Image: Phil Smart) During Thursday's meeting Mr MacDonald said there are greater things that the borough council is working on including its Cornhill strategy and revamp of Lloyds Avenue. 

Mr MacDonald told Thursday's meeting: "People will come in if the offer is right for them, I don’t think we’ve hit the nail on the head on how we can do that."

He added: "If I could, I would shrink the size of the town centre, to get them all closer together, because at the moment everything is dotted all over the town, which makes it hard for someone to make full use of the town.”

They say there is a growing number of independent businesses in town. They say there is a growing number of independent businesses in town.  (Image: Charlotte Bond) The leader was proud that one of the stand-out factors for the town was the support for independent business, as according to council data, these shows have been increasing in town.

Mr Walker agreed to this statement adding: "Many smaller independent businesses have also opened this year, including Threads for All in The Walk plus a variety of food and drink establishments right across the town centre.”