The former Debenhams building in Ipswich could be demolished as the borough council explores development opportunities following its purchase.
The former store, also known as Waterloo House, is an important building in the town centre but has remained empty since Debenhams closed for business in 2021 – with the vacant building seen as a ‘long-standing blight’ in the town centre ever since.
Ipswich’s borough council believes the empty building undermines confidence in the town, weakens the trading environment for nearby businesses and deters investment while reducing the impact of other regeneration work.
The acquisition, funded through the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund, gives the council control of the strategically important town asset.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “Waterloo House is one of the most important buildings in Ipswich town centre, but for too long it has stood empty in a location that should be full of life.
“We have already invested in improving the public realm, bringing empty buildings back into use and supporting new businesses and attractions.
“Acquiring Waterloo House will now allow us to tackle one of the biggest remaining challenges in the town centre.
“This is about taking direct action where the market has not delivered.
“By bringing the site into council ownership, we can remove a long-standing blight, unlock future redevelopment and create an opportunity for something much better for Ipswich.
“Our ambition is to work with future development partners to deliver a scheme that meets the needs of Ipswich, supports economic growth and contributes to a vibrant town centre that residents can be proud of.”
The council has undertaken an assessment of the building’s condition and future viability, showing that bringing Waterloo House back into productive use would require significant investment and would not be financially viable when taking into account future rental income.
The council said the strongest emerging approach is a developer-led design competition to find a viable mixed-use development of the site, inviting full development teams to come up with proposals that they can design, fund, secure planning permission and deliver.
Developers would work alongside architects, planners, cost consultants, funders and delivery partners to submit comprehensive proposals.
The successful bidder would not simply be selected on the quality of the design, but on their ability to demonstrate that the scheme is financially viable, deliverable and that they are capable of securing the investment needed to bring it forward.
Jack Abbott MP, MP for Ipswich, said: “The acquisition of Waterloo House is another important step in the wider regeneration and investment programme of Ipswich’s town centre.
“It sits in a pivotal location, but this empty building has left a scar on our high street for half a decade and I know how desperately local residents want it to be given a new lease of life.
“With that in mind, I am delighted Ipswich Borough Council are using Government funding to take ownership of the building as a flagship project for the town centre’s regeneration.
“I am clear that the aim cannot simply be to replace an empty building – we must create a vibrant, sustainable and attractive destination in the heart of our town that supports the future growth and prosperity of Ipswich.”
The news comes as the council also announced work to regenerate Lloyds Avenue is set to begin in the latter part of this year – including work to declutter and repair the Grade II-listed Lloyds Arch.
