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Ipswich shop owners invited to apply for £5,000 improvement grants

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Attwells Solicitors

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Independent businesses in Ipswich's shopping parades can now apply for up to £5,000 in grant funding to improve their shopfronts and accessibility as part of a scheme to enhance the appearance of neighbourhood shopping areas.

Why it matters: The Shop Front Improvement Grant Scheme, funded through the Towns Fund deal for Ipswich, could help revitalise local shopping parades and make them more attractive to residents and visitors.

Shopping parade on Woodbridge Road East, Ipswich
Woodbridge Road East shopping parade in IpswichIpswich Borough Council

Key details:

  • Grants of up to £5,000 are available per business

  • 27 shopping parades across Ipswich are eligible

  • Improvements can include new windows, doors, signage, lighting, and accessibility upgrades

  • Applications will be reviewed monthly

  • The closing date is 7 October 2024

Who's eligible: Independent owners and leaseholders with at least five years left on their lease within the designated shopping parades. National retailers, chains with more than three locations, national charities, betting shops and pawnbrokers are not eligible.

What they're saying: Councillor Bryony Rudkin, Deputy Leader of Ipswich Borough Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy and Transformation, said: "The scheme is a fantastic opportunity for independent business owners to make improvements to their business, with the aim of encouraging more of our residents and visitors to visit our shopping parades and explore what they have to offer."

How to apply: Interested businesses can apply online at www.ipswich.gov.uk/shopfrontgrantscheme

The bottom line: This initiative could provide a much-needed boost to Ipswich's local shopping areas, improving their appearance and accessibility while supporting independent businesses.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?

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Attwells Solicitors

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The British heavyweight champion and diehard Ipswich Town fan could see his ambition to fight at his beloved club become reality after a new licence application.

Why it matters: Ipswich Town Football Club has applied for a variation of its licence at Portman Road. The application has requested boxing or wrestling entertainment to take place between 12:00 and 22:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, as well as 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

West Stand at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
West Stand at Portman Road stadium in IpswichHolly Woodard-Williams

What they're saying: Speaking with the BBC, an ITFC spokesperson said: "Following infrastructure improvements to Portman Road over the past couple of years, it will not be uncommon for the stadium to apply for various licences to host events across different sectors; this is just one of many that will start to appear."

For context: British heavyweight champion and Ipswich Town fan Fabio Wardley said it was his "dream" to fight at the ground.

In October 2024, Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk he wanted to fight at Portman Road, saying: "It's still the dream and it's on the cards".

"If anything it's closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he's done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

"When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this."

Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in IpswichAlamy

The bigger picture: Ipswich Town chief executive, Mark Ashton, said in November 2024 that the club had been in discussion with Wardley about appearing at the ground and that it was in the "pipeline" but not "imminent".

The details: The club has also requested to be permitted to include live music performances, playing of recorded music, dance performances as well as alcohol sales and late night refreshments.

Portman Road underwent a series of improvements last summer to prepare the ground for Premier League football, including new media facilities, more executive boxes and the introduction of safe standing areas at the ground for the first time.

What's next: Posters advertising the change have been put up in the area around the ground with people able to have their say on the change until 24 April.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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