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Public meeting with police leaders confirmed for Ipswich following MP's request

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Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Suffolk police leaders have agreed to host an additional public meeting in Ipswich on 15 October, following a request from Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich.

The big picture: Public meetings allow residents to engage with high-level police officials. Ipswich MP Jack Abbott criticised the original decision not to hold one in Suffolk's county town.

Why it matters: The U-turn, following requests from Abbott and a local councillor, ensures Suffolk's county town will be included in the schedule, addressing concerns about its initial omission.

Tim Passmore at a recent Street Meet event in Ipswich
Tim Passmore at a recent Street Meet event in IpswichSuffolk Police & Crime Commissioner

Event details:

  • Date: Tuesday, 15 October 2024

  • Time: Doors open at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm start

  • Location: It will be held at the Ipswich International Church Hall, 1 Burlington Road, IP1 2EU

What they're saying:

Abbott welcomed the decision: "I am pleased that the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable have listened to my concerns and will now be hosting a Police Connects meeting in Ipswich."

Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, stated: "We have an extensive community engagement programme which covers events right across the county. In the last month I have joined the local policing team at three separate events in our county town centre and have engaged with a wide cross-section of the community."

Passmore added: "If any particular community requests a public meeting we do our best to accommodate this. Following a couple of requests from a local councillor and the MP we have organised a meeting in Ipswich on October 15."

What's next: Ipswich residents will have the opportunity to attend the meeting on 15 October to ask questions and learn more about local policing efforts.

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Hays Travel confirmed as new tenant for former GAME store on Tavern Street

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Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

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Hays Travel is moving a few doors down the road into the vacant former GAME unit on Tavern Street, with the interior fit-out already underway.

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.

The former GAME unit on Tavern Street in Ipswich
Hays are moving into the former GAME unit on Tavern StreetOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The details:

  • Hays Travel will be relocating a very short distance from its current location at 36 Tavern Street into the former GAME premises

  • Fitting out work is already in full swing at the new location

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

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

What's next: It remains unclear whether Hays Travel will occupy all three floors or just the ground-floor retail space and whether plans to convert the upper levels into residential units will proceed.

Hays Travel at 36 Tavern Street in Ipswich
Hays currently operate just a few doors down the road at 36 Tavern StreetOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The bottom line: After standing empty for over two years, the former GAME store will soon welcome customers again. Meanwhile, a few seconds down the road, 36 Tavern Street will seek a new tenant.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

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If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

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