From dingy pub to destination: Why you should visit Tower Street Food Hall

Walking into Tower Street Food Hall at Friday lunchtime, the buzz of people nattering struck me, and the wide range of tasty smells climbing up my nose, awakening my stomach.

I had popped in to chat with Sandeep, the businessman behind this ambitious project, only a week after opening the doors to this innovative, shared-dining concept – the first of its kind in Ipswich.

Local residents will know this building as the old Yates premises – a scruffy, run-down, alcohol driven pub/club of sorts, that often felt quite intimidating to enter. Poorly lit, dingy and churning out generic beer and food, these memories were still embedded in my mind as I opened the door. 

Instead, I was greeted by a lovingly restored interior, an impeccable paint job, and sunlight pouring in the windows. I was joyfully overwhelmed by the friendly atmosphere, and how quickly the staff at the front door enquired about my needs.

(No, they didn’t know I was a journalist.)

The building has been transformed into the kind of place you’d want to linger in, for far longer than you’d planned to.

Pride in the establishment, its products, and its services were evident in every staff member. From the impeccably dressed and friendly entrance staff, to the team member who guided me upstairs, everyone exuded a level of professionalism that exceeded my expectations.

While waiting for Sandeep to have a spare moment, I nattered with the trainee assistant manager about the incredible contrast between the old building, and the lovingly restored Tower Street Food Hall.

He told me he used to work at Yates, with a sigh and a groan. Then straightening up as he declared – wide smile on his face – just how proud he was to be a part of this new business.

You can’t help but feel impressed by the sheer amount of effort the whole team is putting into making this a success. 

Chatting with Sandeep, I heard all about his attention to detail and commitment to using local products, staff, and companies to create Tower Street Food Hall.

He proudly showcased the bar and marble service tops crafted by a local company, emphasising that this ethos also extended to the food – with ingredients like Suffolk potatoes being used in the loaded chips.

A seasoned hospitality entrepreneur with international experience, Sandeep was endearingly precise about the quality of service, and the experience he has created. I challenge anyone to meet this man and not be instantly willing him to succeed.

One distinction he made clearly was the difference between a ‘food court’ and a ‘food hall’.

The former being a place of convenience – somewhere you quickly nip in and out for some basic food – and the latter being somewhere you go for the experience – the kind of place where you’ll get higher quality food and surroundings, but still at a sensible price point.

Between £8-10 you can get something to fill you up, plus you’ll know that the ingredients are fresh, and the recipes are exciting. Food orders are made at the outlets themselves, and people are seated at long tables, alongside other groups.

This is a place where community sings from the walls, where strangers quickly become new friends. 

There are 6 kitchens inside Tower Street Food Hall, covering a huge range of food: Pan-Asian, Indian, Italian, and British classics including pies, burgers and chips – with a quality street-food twist.

These unique kitchens combine to create a delightfully varied menu that is sure to please everybody. But don’t take my word for it, they have the full menu and price list available on their website.

Speaking with passion, honesty and commitment, it's clear Sandeep cares deeply about Tower Street Food Hall, and its place in the Ipswich community. He believes it is the first food hall of its kind, operating on three floors, in the South of England.

The renovation was extensive, and challenging. His professional and personal investment is only to be admired, and reflects well on how Ipswich is viewed commercially. He looked at several areas before deciding to invest in Ipswich.

A hugely ambitious project that brings a contemporary dining experience to Ipswich, he hopes this will be another reason for people to come back to the town centre. 

All he asks is "before you judge what we do, pay us one visit, see what we have to offer, then make up your mind".