Plans submitted for new cafe franchise at former Grimwades store in Ipswich
A planning application for a new cafe franchise has been submitted for the long-empty former Grimwades building in Ipswich. Ipswich Borough Council bought the building on the Cornhill in April after it had been left vacant for the last 13 years. Jamaica Blue, a casual dining cafe franchise, has now submitted a planning application for […]
Work starts on revamp of East Anglia’s largest theatre
The Regent Theatre in Ipswich has shut its doors as work on its £3.45 million makeover gets underway. The project, led by Ipswich Borough Council, will see the Grade II-listed venue upgraded and modernised, improving the front of house facilities. Customers with accessibility needs will have better access to the building through the new entrance, […]
Portman Road aquatics centre plans get the go-ahead
Plans for a state-of-the-art aquatics centre in Portman Road in Ipswich have been given the green light. Ipswich Borough Council’s planning and development committee unanimously rubber stamped the plans at a meeting on Tuesday, April 30. The council’s ambitious proposal, supported by Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Town Football Club, looks to rejuvenate the area, […]
Trailblazing female crane operator inspires the next generation of women in construction
A trailblazing crane operator – the first woman to qualify in the UK – took centre stage at the latest Women in Construction Anglia Lunch this week. The sold-out event at Suffolk New College in Ipswich, on Wednesday April 30, was attended by almost 100 people and showcased the vast diversity of roles in the […]
New block in town: Suffolk-based Lignacite launches carbon-cutting ECO Range to power sustainable construction
A multi-award-winning Suffolk-based masonry supplier has unveiled its new range of eco-friendly blocks to sustainably power a British building boom. The new Lignacite ECO Range initially features concrete blocks made of 50% and 70% recycled materials – the Lignacite ECO 50 and Lignacite ECO 70. These lower-carbon blocks harness the power of recycled sand and […]
Suffolk college signs first-ever deal with county’s leading construction forum
A first-ever partnership between a Suffolk college and the county’s leading construction forum is hoped to inspire more young people to embark on a career in the sector. The new memorandum of understanding between the Suffolk Joint Construction Committee (SJCC) and Suffolk New College will see SJCC members work closely with the college to create […]
Future builders get behind-the-scenes tour during site visit in Suffolk
Rose and Eastlight Community Homes opened the gates to their Whatfield Road construction site in Elmsett last week to a group of enthusiastic future builders. Pupils and staff from Elmsett Church of England Primary School enjoyed an educational visit to the site, with the aim of inspiring more young people to enter the sector. Pupils […]
Application for Sea Link electricity connection accepted by Planning Inspectorate
A National Grid application for a proposed 85-mile high-voltage electricity connection from Kent to Suffolk has been accepted for consideration by the Planning Inspectorate. Plans for Sea Link – a mainly offshore electricity connection from Pegwell Bay in Kent to the Suffolk Coast between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness – have been accepted, with the project now […]
Multi-million-pound Portman Road masterplan set for approval
Plans for a new multi-million-pound aquatics centre in Portman Road are set to be approved when they are outlined to Ipswich Borough Council’s planning committee next week. The plans, first submitted in early 2024, would see an aquatics centre complete with pools, water flumes, a gym and fitness facilities built on the existing car park […]
Grant Holt joins construction recruiters in coastal charity challenge
A Norwich City legend joined a team of construction, driving and industrial recruitment specialists in a 150-mile charity walk around Norfolk. Grant Holt and a host of fundraisers joined the team from East Anglia-based ARC Group on the 60-hour walk around the county, starting from Kings Lynn and ending at Carrow Road stadium on Friday, […]
