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Former GAME store on Tavern Street under offer

News

A prominent retail unit in Ipswich town centre could soon have a new tenant, with the former GAME store on Tavern Street now under offer.

The big picture: The store has been empty since March 2022, when GAME relocated to the Sports Direct building on Carr Street ahead of its permanent move to the former BHS building in Butter Market along with other Frasers Group brands, including Sports Direct, Evans Cycles, Flannels and USC.

The former GAME store on Tavern Street is under offer
The former GAME store on Tavern Street is under offerOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

Key details:

  • The former GAME store closed in March 2022 and has been vacant since.

  • Then, in April 2024, the building's owner applied to convert the upper floors into three new flats.

  • The identity of the potential new tenant has not been revealed.

  • It remains unclear whether the offer is for all three floors or just the ground-floor retail space.

  • Plans to convert the upper levels into residential units are also uncertain.

The bottom line: The property could be the latest in a string of newly occupied units on one of Ipswich's main high streets.

Council spends 77p in every pound on care services as funding gap grows

News

Suffolk County Council has revealed that children's and adult care now consumes 77 pence of every pound spent as it appeals to the Chancellor for additional local government funding ahead of Wednesday's Autumn Budget.

The big picture: The council says public funding is not keeping pace with service demands despite implementing cost-saving measures over the past five years.

Why it matters: The outcome could affect residents in two ways:

  • Future council tax rates could be impacted

  • Public service delivery may need to be reviewed

Picture of the front of Endeavour House, the Suffolk County Council office building
Endeavour House in IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

By the numbers:

  • 77p of every £1 goes to children's and adult care services.

  • The council has made savings over 5 years, but reports its budget gap continues to grow.

What they're saying: Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Richard Smith MVO, said in a letter to the Chancellor: "We accept fully how demand for funding for public services is universal, with all eyes looking towards the Treasury for urgent financial relief."

He added: "The council feels it essential that the pressures facing local authorities are fully recognised by government and reflected in the local government settlement."

Looking ahead: The Chancellor's Autumn Budget statement is scheduled for Wednesday.

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