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New family-friendly restaurant in Bury St Edmunds top of readers’ wish list as results of SuffolkNews poll revealed




A new family-friendly restaurant is top of readers’ wish list for Bury St Edmunds after thousands of you responded to a SuffolkNews appeal and poll.

In the last fortnight, we asked residents which businesses and brands they would like to see fill the empty shops in the town - using the Bury Free Press Facebook page to ask for suggestions before whittling them down for a Google poll.

Responding in your thousands, just under a quarter said a family-friendly restaurant, such as Toby Carvery, TGI Fridays or Five Guys, was what Bury needed.

The empty Giraffe in Parkway. Picture: Ross Waldron
The empty Giraffe in Parkway. Picture: Ross Waldron

Mark Cordell, CEO of Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District, said it would always welcome new businesses to the town centre, and ultimately the public have the best means to influence what businesses choose to set up shop.

He said: “From our perspective, we want as many reasons for people to come to our town centre, and predominantly for hospitality, experiential and retail businesses.

“It’s very much the case that businesses will choose where they want to open, and it’s as much for the public, through social media, to make those brands aware they are welcome here.

Mark Cordell, chief executive of Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District, said the organisation would always welcome new businesses coming to the town centre. Picture: Our Bury St Edmunds/Phil Morley
Mark Cordell, chief executive of Our Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District, said the organisation would always welcome new businesses coming to the town centre. Picture: Our Bury St Edmunds/Phil Morley

“Clearly businesses see us as a vibrant town centre where they are confident they can make money.”

The second-most desired option (20.6 per cent) behind a family-friendly restaurant was an experience unit, akin to the former Rollerbury or a trampoline park.

Bury has Curve Motion on the outskirts of town, while similar units in the town centre, such as Sneaky Links indoor golf course, are for those aged 18 or over only.

A vacant unit on Cornhill. Picture: Ross Waldron
A vacant unit on Cornhill. Picture: Ross Waldron

Sixteen per cent of respondents wanted a John Lewis, while 15 said a home store such as Lakeland or Homesense, to replace the likes of Palmers, was what they wanted.

Following our social media appeal, Heidi Notley contacted the Bury Free Press. She said she thought there were enough food venues in the town, and different forms of retail would be better.

“I think a cotton trader store would be good, the whole range, clothing, bedding,” she said.

The former Frankie and Benny's and Burger Amour units in Parkway. Picture: Ross Waldron
The former Frankie and Benny's and Burger Amour units in Parkway. Picture: Ross Waldron

“Also, something like Palmers which we lost. Argos was a great loss to the town.”

Heidi highlighted Lakeland and Whittards of Chelsea as two shops in particular she would like.

Jacqui Ricot also contacted us following the appeal, and echoed Heidi’s desire for a Lakeland.

A vacant unit at the redeveloped former Post Office building in Bury St Edmunds town centre. Picture: Ross Waldron
A vacant unit at the redeveloped former Post Office building in Bury St Edmunds town centre. Picture: Ross Waldron

Meanwhile, Ginny Mulligan said on Facebook she would like to see an indoor market in the former Cornhill Walk shopping centre for creatives and small businesses – an idea that resonated with nearly 13 per cent of respondents to our poll.

SuffolkNews contacted Ginny, who has lived in Ixworth since 1976, to explore the idea further.

She said, in her role as a support worker, she is in the town centre for much of the week.

The vacant Cornhill Walk, which Ginny Mulligan wants to see become and indoor market. Picture: Ross Waldron
The vacant Cornhill Walk, which Ginny Mulligan wants to see become and indoor market. Picture: Ross Waldron

Ginny would like to see Cornhill Walk, which closed in December 2016 and is subject to long-running redevelopment plans, rejuvenated and thinks an indoor market would be the best way to do this.

“It (Cornhill Walk) has been empty for many, many years and not a positive advert for locals or tourists who flock here,” she said.

“I think I've heard that Cornhill Walk is to be flats but I see no issue with having flats above the market. The stalls could range from haberdashery, jewellery, bakeries, crafts and clothing to suggest just a few.

A vacant unit on Cornhill. Picture: Ross Waldron
A vacant unit on Cornhill. Picture: Ross Waldron

“I picture benches with people chatting, people wandering around the myriad of stalls with the sound of chatter, laughter and noise of people meeting and greeting.”

Developer Knightspur Homes has submitted amended plans for Cornhill Walk to West Suffolk Council comprising 42 flats and homes and commercial uses on the ground floor.

Previous plans for the site were thrown out by the planning inspector in 2021.

The former Denny Bros Supplies Ltd has been vacant since April. Picture: Ross Waldron
The former Denny Bros Supplies Ltd has been vacant since April. Picture: Ross Waldron

The latest proposals were first submitted two years ago and have undergone several amendments since.

Figures from West Suffolk Council show shop vacancy rates in the town are 7.9 per cent, well below the national average of 14 per cent.

Some of the biggest and most prominent empty units include the former Giraffe and Frankie and Benny’s, in Parkway, as well as Denny Bros Supplies Ltd, in St Andrew’s Street South.

Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, cabinet member for growth at West Suffolk Council, said: “While the vast majority of the empty town centre shops in West Suffolk are privately owned, the council’s economic development team is here to help.

“If anyone has a great business idea for a vacant town centre shop that they are looking to get off the ground, we would be happy to talk to them and direct them to funding support and business advice that may be available.”

Those looking for help to open a new business in the town should email economic.development@westsuffolk.gov.uk