Stowmarket - a thriving market town?

Stowmarket's newly appointed Town Centre Manager has been in touch, to tell us about the exciting initiatives taking place in the town. Some of them I already knew about, others come as a bit of a surprise;

• £7 million for a new Supermarket adjacent to the Milton Road car park, scheduled to open in Spring/Summer 2011
• £12 million for the redevelopment of Ipswich Street, demolishing all of the buildings on the west side from the sorting office to the United Reformed Church, and replacing them with 'modern, attractive buildings suitable for larger retail chains'
• £5 million for "The Mix" - a project to create a world-class facility for young people opposite the Regal
• £2 million for development of the Museum of East Anglian Life
• £1 million to develop the Corn Exchange into the John Peel Centre for Creative Arts

Add £21 million for the construction of the B1115 relief road bridge, and that is a lot of money.

To be frank, Stowmarket needs investment, and a little tender, loving care. Far be it from me to criticise, but those responsible for its current state should hang their heads in shame. The District Council in particular, whose decision to brutalise the town centre in the sixties created a rather soulless parade of shops, need to do better. It isn't just retail that attracts visitors, restaurants and culture do too.

Ironically, the Town Council is making a real effort, with StowFest, the Carnival and the new Comedy Club at the Regal all noteworthy efforts to bring something different to town, and I wish them well. And if they could persuade someone to open a little bistro or cucina in town, with reasonable prices, I for one would be pretty keen to support it.

And maybe, just maybe, we wouldn't worry that the £48 billion to be spent would be in vain...