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Second grocery store approved for Woodbridge Road as former Skoda site gets green light

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Attwells Solicitors

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Planning permission has been granted to convert the Skoda showroom on Woodbridge Road into a new grocery store.

The big picture: The approved plans follow the East of England Co-op's announcement last year to open a larger store at the former Renault dealership on Woodbridge Road. The Co-op store will relocate from Brunswick Road in spring 2025.

Planning permission has been granted to convert the Skoda showroom on Woodbridge Road into a new grocery store
Planning permission has been granted to convert the Skoda showroom on Woodbridge Road into a new grocery storeOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The details: The council has approved plans to transform the two-storey Skoda showroom, which has operated since 2002.

  • Trading hours will run from 06:00-23:00 daily

  • The car park will provide 20 standard spaces and three disabled spaces

  • The store will employ between 15 and 20 people

What's next: The development must meet specific council conditions, including:

  • Securing the car park

  • Maintaining amenities for neighbouring properties

The bottom line: The approval will mean two former car showrooms on the same road are set to become grocery stores this year.

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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Local migration exhibition competing for global heritage award

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Attwells Solicitors

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Suffolk Archives' community-led project about migration stories is in the running against attractions from 15 countries for a prestigious museums award.

The "Arrivals: Celebrating Migration to Suffolk" exhibition has been shortlisted for Community Engagement Programme of the Year at the 23rd annual Museums + Heritage Awards.

Why it matters: The nomination recognises Suffolk's approach to documenting and celebrating diverse cultural histories through community collaboration.

Arrivals: Celebrating Migration to Suffolk
Arrivals: Celebrating Migration to SuffolkSuffolk County Council

The details: The free exhibition explored historical and contemporary migration experiences to Suffolk since the end of World War II, including:

  • Oral history recordings

  • Stories of migrant entrepreneurs

  • Archive materials from the Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality

  • Narratives about Jewish refugees, Polish soldier Marion Laskowski, and the Windrush generation

  • Examples of traditional clothing from around the world

From the community: The exhibition featured "The Journey" – an art installation consisting of 125 birds made from sustainably sourced plywood, each decorated to represent a unique migration story.

What they're saying: "This nomination reflects the incredible collaboration between Suffolk Archives, local community groups, and artists. It's a wonderful acknowledgment of how migration stories have shaped our county's history and brought together diverse voices in a meaningful way," said Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Equality.

Anna Preedy, Director of Museums + Heritage Awards, said: "This year's shortlist truly reflects the breadth and depth of the cultural sector and its determination to deliver first-class visitor experiences for all."

By the numbers: The global awards include entrants from across the UK and 14 other countries ranging from Norway and Egypt to Australia.

The competition: 'Arrivals' is competing alongside exhibitions from Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, Manchester Museum, The Landmark Trust, and Historic England.

What's next: The winners will be announced on 15 May.

The bottom line: Suffolk Archives' latest exhibition is "Departures", which explores emigration from Suffolk. It runs at The Hold, on Ipswich's Waterfront, until 31 May, with a programme of tie-in events. Visit www.suffolkarchives.co.uk for more details.

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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