Sneak-peek inside Ipswich Bazaar, taking over former Poundland and Woolworths in Carr Street, set to create 90 jobs

An Ipswich business owner has spoken of his excitement ahead of the launch of his latest venture – a ‘superstore’ hoping to sell goods from as many cultures as possible.

Ariful Islam signed a 25-year lease for the old Poundland and Woolworths unit, in Carr Street, earlier this year.

Aiming to hire between 70 and 90 people, the team have been hard at work converting the inside of the building into Ipswich Bazaar since the end of March.

Once complete, it will contain a supermarket, a 100-seat restaurant, a butcher, a bakery, a fish counter and even a play area for children.

SuffolkNews was granted a sneak-peek inside the business before it opens its doors on Monday.

Mr Islam said: “It’s hard to put into words how I feel about it. It’s my dream project.

“The past few months have been a roller-coaster but getting to the end where we’re ready to open, that’s a relief.

“All we want is to serve the community and let them know they can get good quality produce for less.”

Work is ongoing to convert the inside.

While the space occupied by Poundland will become the supermarket, storage space at the back is being opened up to create the restaurant.

This is set to open in about two months’ time and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Mr Islam said he wanted to offer goods from as many parts of the world as possible.

When it opens, the supermarket will cater for cuisines from various continents and cultures, including African, Caribbean, Turkish, Kurdish, Arabian, Eastern European, South Asian, English and Japanese foods.

The team is also on the look out for suppliers to stock goods from China and the Philippines.

“We will always consider anything of the best quality we can,” Mr Islam said.

While the team imports food from abroad, much of its English food is sourced from Suffolk suppliers.

About 50 per cent of Ipswich Bazaar’s fruit and vegetables, all its meat and fish and some of the sweets, come from England.

General goods, such as cosmetics, will also be available.

Mr Islam has lived in Ipswich for 14 years and also runs Quick Cab taxi service, based in Grimwade Street.

While he will keep an eye on the business, managing the store will be down to his brother, Mominul Plabon.

Mr Islam added: “I’m also in contact with charities as I want to share a little of what I have to those in need.

“I want the community to know that if they need anything, they know where I am.”

Ipswich Bazaar opens at 10am on Monday with a grand opening event.