From plans for an M&S Foodhall to a new state-of-the-art train station bridge, residents have shared what excites them most about the year ahead in their town.
We asked the people of Stowmarket what they are most looking forward to potentially arriving in 2025 in a poll posted to social media.
Last year, residents rejoiced when the A14 from Haughley to Tothill reopened after 16 months of resurfacing works, but were gutted when the annual Christmas Fayre was cancelled due to extreme weather.
Ipswich Street in Stowmarket. Picture: Mecha Morton
The town centre said goodbye to Handy Hardware and to Langhams — and we very nearly said goodbye to Oscar the Tesco cat when he snuck into a shopper’s car boot and took to a ride to Elmswell.
With 2024 behind us, here’s a look at what Stowmarket’s residents are anticipating in 2025.
M&S Foodhall plans
An M&S Foodhall was announced in the plans from November. Picture: guncottonway.co.uk
Multi-million pound plans for a new retail park on land in Tomo Road and Gun Cotton Way sparked much excitement from readers — especially with news of an M&S Foodhall potentially moving in.
Plans for the Marks and Spencer store were initially submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council in November 2023, along with two additional retail units at the site.
Rival supermarket Tesco called for the plans to be rejected due to a ‘flawed’ retail assessment, however a consultation carried out by the applicants, Location 3 Properties Ltd, found 95 per cent of residents were in support of the proposals.
Location 3 said M&S would be the site’s ‘anchor’ store as they were working with the retailer to bring the plans forward — though the proposals are still under consideration at the start of 2025.
New bridge at the train station
An artist’s impression of the AVA bridge coming to Stowmarket. Picture: Greater Anglia
Construction of the ‘revolutionary’ new bridge at Stowmarket train station kicked off in December as part of a £5.5 million project aimed at improving accessibility.
Greater Anglia announced that the bridge, complete with lifts, is set to be installed by the end of May and open to the public by the summer.
The current bridge is scheduled to be removed next weekend, starting on January 11, and there will be a temporary footbridge in place to ensure the station remains open during the works.
Funded through the Government’s ‘Access for All’ scheme, the project addresses long-standing accessibility issues at the station as the level crossing was the only step-free route between platforms.
Another drive-thru at Thorney Way site
The Starbucks drive-thru has proved popular since opening in September. Picture: Lesley Tumber
After the Starbucks drive-thru opened its doors in Thorney Way in September, residents are anticipating the announcement of another drive-thru restaurant to arrive at the site.
Mid Suffolk District Council gave the EG Group permission to build two drive-thru units on the land south of Gun Cotton Way in November 2022 — but with Starbucks taking up one of those units, it is currently unclear which chain will move into the other.
Leon confirmed it has no plans to open a branch in Stowmarket while a spokesperson for KFC previously said that construction at the development is not related to the fast-food chain.
We asked fried chicken restaurant Popeyes if it is considering coming to the town following the announcement that Popeyes is aiming to open 30 new stores in the UK — however, a spokesperson said they were ‘not able to share any news on the opening of this store at the moment’.
SHELF project at Chilton Fields
A digital impression of the proposed new sports pavilion. Picture: MSDC/Saunders Boston Architects
Mid Suffolk District Council granted plans for the £2.4 million Stowmarket Health, Education, and Leisure Facility (SHELF) project, set to replace outdated facilities near Stowmarket High School and Chilton Fields.
The development includes a state-of-the-art sports pavilion, modern sports hall and 3G artificial pitch.
With planning permission granted in November, residents are anticipating an update on when construction will begin.
The project will be carried out in three phases, starting with upgrades to the pitch, the addition of a mini athletics circuit, a multi-use games area (MUGA) and new walking trails.
The development is set to encourage healthier lifestyles across the town after more than a quarter of children in Stowmarket were described as obese or overweight — with 79 per cent of those children likely to remain obese into adulthood.
£1.5 million to enhance the town centre
Mid Suffolk District Council has created a £1.5 million fund to enhance Stowmarket town centre. Picture: Mid Suffolk District Council
And finally, residents are keen to see the impact of £1.5 million funding through Gateway 14 to revitalise Stowmarket’s town centre.
The funding, which was approved in July, will focus on bringing vacant properties back into use with Mid Suffolk District Council planning to buy, rent or refurbish town centre units.
The initiative also includes grants and guidance to support potential occupiers.
The first round of applications for the Stowmarket Town Centre Gateway Fund closed on November 15, with funding decisions expected this month after proposals are reviewed by an external panel of town representatives.
Applicants will be notified of outcomes and a second round is expected to open in spring.
The council is particularly interested in proposals that bring arts, culture, tourism, community activities, retail and small business workspaces to the town.
What are most looking forward to in Stowmarket in 2025? Let us know by sending an email to sam.harrison@iliffemedia.co.uk.