Coffee franchise is first to move into empty store

A planning application has been submitted for a prominent town centre building that has stood empty for more than a decade.

Jamaica Blue, a dining cafe franchise, will take over part of the Grimwades building on the Cornhill in Ipswich, which has been vacant since 2012.

It has submitted an application for external repair and refurbishment works to Ipswich Borough Council.

Council leader Neil MacDonald said he was "delighted" the building would be open again, while Michael Johnson of Jamaica Blue said he was "thrilled".

The building was acquired by the council last month and Jamaica Blue would operate from one of the two units within it.

The council said it had received a number of enquiries for the other unit and was "confident" an agreement would be sorted soon.

The last retailer to occupy the building was Clinton Cards and it is expected the new occupants will be able to open later this year.

"I am sure residents will be excited to see things moving so fast for the Grimwades building, and it's great news that they will be able to picture what it could be like once it is occupied," MacDonald said.

"I'm delighted that we have received a planning application for the first of the two units."

He added that if approved, Jamaica Blue would help bring a "buzz of people and vibrancy" to the town centre.

Mr Johnson, franchise development executive at Jamaica Blue, added that it looked forward to bringing the brand to Ipswich.

"We look forward to sharing the Jamaica Blue experience with even more communities in the near future," he said.

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