Ipswich independent businesses Threads For All, The Military Unit and Beard Manners call for greater support in face of town centre decline
Independent businesses in Ipswich have called for better support in the face of the town centre’s continued decline.
Vacant units in the town centre have spiked in recent years, rising to 92 at the end of 2024, as footfall plummets.
Will Hamer, who runs Threads For All, in The Walk, said parking was one of his main gripes with the town centre and was a common complaint from customers.
Another price increase for car parking was agreed last week, seeing a five-hour stay increase to £8 from £7.50.
Will said: “We know Ipswich isn’t the best right now and the council needs to work to bring people into the town.
“By increasing prices, they’re doing the opposite of what they should be doing and driving people away.”
Neil MacDonald, the borough council’s leader, said he recognised the vital role of a thriving Ipswich and remained committed to working with businesses, partners and stakeholders to support economic growth and make the town more vibrant.
He maintained that parking price increases were needed to fund ‘valued local services’, including the Regent Theatre and Crown Pools, but understood it needed to be handled sensitively.
In a bid to get people shopping, Ipswich Central Business Improvement District announced a ‘free after 3pm’ trial at Blackfriars car park last week.
Will supported this but suggested prices at council run car parks could be reduced, which he felt would make them more money in the long run due to increased footfall.
On Wednesday, a budget amendment that could have seen £306,000 from the council's ‘rainy day’ reserve to help compensate businesses for Government plans to reduce business rate relief from 75 per cent to 40 per cent was rejected.
Cllr MacDonald said the decision on business rate relief was a difficult one as the authority continues to navigate financial difficulties and remained committed to supporting businesses.
Will fears for the future of the town’s remaining independent shops and felt this could be a make or break moment for many.
The council ‘sitting on a pot of money’ didn’t make sense, he said, and wondered why they wouldn’t use it to improve the town centre.
He called on the council to work to bring both big names and new independents to the high street.
Despite this, Will was excited by plans to turn the town into a ‘city of culture’ but felt the council should not lose sight of store owners.
He also suggested a revival of the town’s market, mirroring Bury St Edmunds, and hoped the council would work to fill the units it owns and be proactive in organising events.
“If it’s not dealt with, we’ll get to 2029 and no one will be open and you can’t have a cultural centre without shops,” Will added.
“The council need to pull their fingers out. It feels like they’re not doing anything to make the town centre better, incentivising new businesses and helping older ones stay, while those who are here seem to be proactively doing things, such as hosting events.
“We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think things could change and we try to be positive but sporadic openings make us lose hope and question our decision to open.”
Rebecca Eaks, of The Military Unit, in Sailmaker’s Shopping Centre, echoed similar sentiments over parking, events, markets and business rates.
She said bringing shoppers back into the town centre should be the priority for the council, organisations and businesses.
Among her chief concerns were crime and anti-social behaviour but said these appeared to be on the decline due to Suffolk Police’s Operation Spotlight and the presence of Ipswich Central Street Security team.
One minor change she suggested was better signposting to the various parts of Ipswich town centre, including the high street, The Saints and the waterfront to help people navigate.
Rebecca urged the council to be more strict when considering planning applications, lamenting the number of phone and vape shops and was concerned with the number of privately-owned units being sat on.
Despite this, Rebecca felt Ipswich was turning over a new leaf, praising work by business leaders and organisations.
“The council always have an answer but they aren’t helping the independent businesses,” Rebecca added.
“I’d like to see a scheme where spending money in the town gets you reduced car parking, I don’t know if that would be possible. The free parking at Blackfriars is good but at a strange time as many businesses close at 5pm and people will be on the school run then.
“Rents need to be looked at if we’re going to try and bring new businesses and estate agents need to be proactive and responsive about how overheads are not astronomical.
“If we can increase the safety of the town and increase footfall, new businesses will come.”
Cllr MacDonald said the borough council could offer direct financial support to businesses, shopfront grants and held free public events, which could also offer support.
He also said support for Ipswich to become a ‘city of culture’ was encouraging.
“The Council’s ongoing investment in the arts, heritage, and public spaces is designed not only to enhance Ipswich’s cultural identity but also to attract visitors, support businesses, and strengthen communities across the entire town. By working together, we can ensure that Ipswich thrives,” he said.
Jason Morris, who runs Beard Manners, in St Peter’s Street, felt that big name brands would never return to high streets, which presented an opportunity for independent shops.
He called for greater cooperation between business owners and increased community support from the council, such as small grants or business rate deals.
Jason said: “I’d like to see support to help get businesses off the ground, not just to help with storefronts as many people I know interested in starting a business are terrified of the costs.
“It’s going to be difficult getting people back into town and we need to work to change people’s perceptions. Coming into Ipswich should be an experience, to give reason a people to go out, meaning there needs to be more than just shops.
“There’s a difference between buying a coffee from a café and a big brand – the independents offer service with a smile, personality and a great atmosphere.”
All three businesses agreed there needed to be an attitude change for people of Ipswich and felt people could be highly negative.
Jason said: “As businesses, we should collaborate and help each other grow. As residents, we all live here, so we should want it to be better. I feel the council should listen to business owners.”
The borough council said it was committed to improving Ipswich outside of the town centre, with projects such as the Greener Ipswich scheme, connecting Christchurch Park to the waterfront.
As part of this Lloyds Avenue will be pedestrianised to the tune of £1.4m
Cllr MacDonald added: “Although there are many regeneration initiatives in place to support Ipswich’s economy, there are limits to what the council can control.
“National planning regulations restrict our ability to determine the types of businesses opening in different areas, and while we own only a small number of retail units, most of which are occupied, we actively engage with landlords and developers to facilitate the renting of vacant units.
“While we cannot compel landlords to take action, we remain committed to working collaboratively to bring spaces back into use.”
