Patch Places Ltd submits plans for creative hub at Ipswich Town Hall and Corn Exchange, including former Waitrose

A creative hub could take over a vacant unit in Ipswich town centre.

Patch Places Ltd wants to transform the lower ground floor of the Town Hall, including the old Waitrose, into a co-working space.

The firm is looking to remove partition walls, old equipment used by Waitrose, fitting and fixtures, install new ‘luxury’ flooring and give the entire unit a bright lick of paint, among other things, planning documents said.

Patch Places, founded in 2021, operates working spaces in Chelmsford, High Wycombe, Twickenham, Bournemouth and York, which are designed to pay homage to the building’s heritage, planning documents said.

It aims to ‘reimagine’ iconic old buildings as centres of work and connection.

If approved, the part of the unit in the Corn Exchange would become a co-working space, featuring meeting rooms, toilets and offices.

The Town Hall side would feature a content creation suite, demo rooms, conference rooms, cafes and a space for printers.

Work will only take place on the inside of the site, so listed building consent is not needed.

In January, Ipswich Borough Council’s executive committee set aside a £875,000 grant for a technology-focused working space in a ground floor unit the Town Hall.

The authority hoped it would house start-up and established IT, tech and digital creativity businesses, with a focus on screen, media and gaming.

The council did not comment on whether Patch Places’ plans were part of the same scheme.

Patch Places Ltd has been approached for comment.