Fin Brown

The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of Whitton with Thurleston and Akenham has submitted plans for a single-storey storage outbuilding at the Church of the Ascension on Larchcroft Road in Ipswich. The proposed structure would replace a recently demolished building that was in poor condition and raised security concerns. It would be slightly smaller, set farther back to retain parking spaces, and designed to resemble a traditional detached garage. The application states that it would not adversely affect the church, car park or neighboring properties.

A planning application submitted to Ipswich Borough Council proposes changes to the Morrisons site on Sproughton Road, including electric vehicle chargers, a charging zone, a canopy, jet wash bays and related infrastructure. The works would reduce the customer car park from 44 spaces to 19, a loss of 25 spaces.

Police UK data for June shows Alexandra had the highest number of reported crimes in Ipswich, with 241 incidents overall and 91 violent or sexual offences, up from 224 and 75 respectively the previous year. Stoke Park and Sprites also saw a substantial rise in violent and sexual offences, while several wards, including Bridge, Gipping, Whitton and Castle Hill, and Gainsborough and Holywells, recorded declines.

Ipswich Borough Council has approved plans allowing a popular hand car wash at the corner of Cavendish Street and Fore Hamlet to continue operating for at least five more years. The business is open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm and provides car cleaning, valeting and detailing services.

Q-Park will refurbish Ipswich’s Tacket Street and Tower Ramparts car parks after taking over the sites from NCP, which entered administration. Planned improvements include upgrades to vehicle and pedestrian areas, modern parking equipment, possible electric-vehicle charging infrastructure, online pre-booking and the Q-Park app. The investment follows disruption and confusion over signage and payment methods during the operator transition and is intended to secure the car parks’ long-term future while supporting the local economy.

A car crashed into the East Anglian Children’s Hospice charity shop on Felixstowe Road in Ipswich at about 6:25 a.m. on Wednesday, causing extensive damage to the vehicle and building. One person was taken to hospital, but no customers, staff, volunteers or children were injured. The shop will remain closed while a structural engineer assesses the building, after which EACH plans to begin repairs and reopen when it is safe.

Shaun Littlewood, who suffered catastrophic brain injuries and spent four weeks in a coma after being deliberately run over in Ipswich in March 2020, fears attacker Thomas Broughton could be released after six years rather than serving the minimum 12 years of his 18-year sentence. Littlewood says he remains unable to work normally and is frustrated that probation services have not adequately explained the release process or considered the impact on victims and their families.

A family in Claydon discovered what is believed to be Ipswich Town’s oldest surviving shirt, worn by Fred Ellis during the 1913–14 season. The shirt may be worth tens of thousands of pounds and could be displayed at the club’s stadium. Ellis later served in the First World War, fought at the Battle of the Somme, and returned home after losing a thumb; the box also contained his medals, photographs and another unidentified shirt.

The Classic and Sports Cars by the Bridge event is due to return to Suffolk Food Hall in 2026, featuring classic and sports cars, food vendors, a funfair and emergency services exhibits. The event will raise funds for Cancer Support Suffolk, helping residents and their families before, during and after cancer treatment. Tru7group and the Rotary Clubs of Ipswich are supporting the event.

Ipswich residents have been warned about suspected cowboy builder scams after analysis of Citizens Advice data ranked the town fourth in England and Wales, with 63 home maintenance and improvement complaints flagged as potential scams between 2022 and January 2026. Suffolk Trading Standards advises residents to use recommendations or the vetted Suffolk Trusted Trader scheme, avoid unsolicited doorstep offers, and consider local No Cold Calling Zones. Leader Online’s David Turner stresses that clear quotes, materials, timelines and payment terms should be obtained before work begins. Suspected scams can be reported to Citizens Advice or Report Fraud, while victims should contact their bank or payment provider.

Residents have raised concerns about the maintenance of several Ipswich cemeteries, including grass cutting, the condition of headstones and the handling of items left on graves. Ipswich Borough Council said grounds are maintained on a rotational basis and that items are removed only for safety reasons, regulatory violations or significant deterioration. The council attributed some appearance issues to prolonged dry weather and said it would continue reviewing its practices across the borough's four cemetery sites.

Whitbread plans to close the Oyster Reach Beefeater in Ipswich on September 10, as part of a nationwide closure of all remaining Beefeater sites and the discontinuation of Brewers Fayre and Bar + Block. The move reflects Whitbread’s decision to focus on expanding Premier Inn amid rising costs, including National Insurance and business rates. Ipswich councillor Daniel Potter has called for government intervention and support for local businesses, while Whitbread says it intends to redeploy as many affected employees as possible within its operations.

Ipswich Borough Council’s planning committee deferred a revised application by Associated British Ports to amend the approved Neptune Quay scheme in the Wet Dock area. The plans include replacing pontoons, constructing two welfare facilities, adding a foul water treatment plant and using modular construction for the northern facility. The application will be reconsidered at a later date as part of the wider Wet Dock and marina regeneration.

Norwich businessman Guy Gillingwater walked 70 miles from Norwich to Ipswich in under three and a half days to raise awareness and support for Guy's Hospital and families affected by kidney disease. The fundraiser was inspired by Reggie, the infant son of Ipswich business owner Conor Cross, who was born without kidney function and undergoes around 12 hours of dialysis nearly every day. The walk ended at Cross's Two Beans Down coffee trailer, which donates part of its profits to kidney charities, and the event brought the two men closer while highlighting the support of the local community.