15 things you'll only know if you grew up in Ipswich including Tower Ramparts, Woolworths, FA cup victory and Grimwades
Ipswich is one of the oldest towns in the UK and is brimming with history and culture.
The town has been a major trading port for centuries and many notable people have called it their home over the years.
From missing schools, to sporting triumphs, to shops that are no longer with us - here are 15 things you'll only know if you grew up in Ipswich.
Sailmakers Shopping Centre was called Tower Ramparts, and it used to be a school
Anyone who has been to Ipswich has likely been to Sailmakers - it's the giant shopping centre in front of the bus depot.
Sailmakers has only been as it is since 2015, following a £4 million makeover.
Prior to this it was known as Tower Ramparts, and the shopping centre was an iconic part of Ipswich's high street.
Between 1899 and 1979 it was the home of a school. This was demolished and reopened in 1986 as the shopping centre we all love.
Did you attend Tower Ramparts school? Let us know, we'd love to hear from you.
Radio Orwell was in Electric House
From Radio Orwell, to SGR, to Heart - this was one of the first commercial radio stations in England.
It first hit the waves on October 28, 1978 and lasted until 1992, when it merged with Bury St Edmund's Saxon Radio to become SGR.
The station eventually rebranded to Heart in 2009 before merging with Heart Norwich in 2010.
Who was your favourite presenter on Radio Orwell?
Woolworths in Carr Street
Younger readers may know this shop as Poundland - one of two in the town centre.
Prior to 2008, the site that occupies this bargain shop was home to variety chain Woolworths.
It went through some rebranding over the years, but it was a fixture of Carr Street from the 1920s onwards.
Its most famous feature was the large selection of Pick'n'Mix that many blew their pocket money on.
The Ipswich outlet also boasted a large car park behind the complex that exists to this day.
It sold anything, from toys, to gardening supplies, and dining equipment.
Woolworths in Ipswich closed in 2008, less than a year before the entire company closed all retail outlets.
The Art Deco-style Odeon
Another famous fixture of the town centre was the Odeon cinema.
Operating from 1991 until its closure in August 2005, the cinema was in St Helens Street.
The building still survives to this day, and is now the site of The Hope Church, which opened in 2021.
Fun fact: the building that is now the Ipswich Regent was formerly known as the Odeon - as was Mecca Bingo.
The restoration of the Ancient House
Prior to 1984 the Ancient House near the Buttermarket was in disrepair, until it was refurbished. Today, it is among the most famous landmarks in the town.
According to the Ipswich Society, the earliest references to the house is from the 14th Century, when it belonged to Sir Richard of Martlesham.
Since those days, it has been redecorated with 17th Century pargeting - a form of plasterwork.
The restoration efforts of the building were not without its issues - much of the foundations had sunk, and heavy fireplaces in the house also sunk at different levels.
A fire in 1992 also threatened the building, but it is still standing to this day.
Ipswich Town winning the FA Cup (and the UEFA Cup)
Blues fans still relish the golden age of Ipswich Town, when, under legendary manager Bobby Robson, they secured a 1-0 win against Arsenal at Wembley.
The decisive goal was scored at the 77th minute.
Further glory came in 1981 when they won the UEFA cup against AZ Alkmaar 5-4.
Grimwades in the Cornhill
Another derelict building on the once-bustling high street.
Grimwades was first opened in 1844 by tailor Richard Grimwade. It passed to his son when he left town.
The shop remained an outfitters until it closed in 1996, although many still refer to it by its former name.
It even contained a café at some point.
Since its closure it was home to Clinton's Cards, which closed in 2012, and a short-term lease was given to another clothing company, Innovations.
There were even plans to turn it into a Pret A Manger in 2018.
St Matthews Swimming Baths
Before Crown Pools, the place to swim in Ipswich was located in St Matthews Street.
Opening in 1924, the building hosted a number of events, depending on the season.
During the winter months, it would host concerts, meetings, and even wrestling.
Everyone from Led Zeppelin, to Rod Stewart and Eric Clapton rocked within its walls.
Once summer rolled around, the pool would open.
From the 1970s, when the Corn Exchange became the main entertainment venue, the pools hosted year-long swimming.
The building was sold after Crown Pools opened in 1984.
Since then, it has been used for several purposes - it opened as a gym in 2011, and is now a 300 capacity music venue.
Ambassador Lanes on London Road
The first ten-pin bowling lanes in Ipswich first opened its doors in 1961.
It was the site of a former rollerskating rink.
Teens from the town would often go to play a few games, before visiting the Wimpy that was also located on the premises.
Ultimately, the lanes closed down in 1970 and eventually became Texas Homecare.
Today, the park is taken up by retailers like The Range, Argos, Next and Halfords.
The Buttermarket shopping centre was Cowell's
The site of the shopping centre we now know as the Buttermarket used to be a printing works known as Cowell's.
Built in 1892 on behalf of W. S. Cowell, the building stood until 1989, when it was demolished.
The Buttermarket as we know it opened in 1992, and was converted to contain a cinema and restaurant chains in 2016.
Cattle Market Sorting Office
The Cattle Market Sorting Office was located where Revolution, and the nearby car park currently stands.
The office - a tiny building - would sort letters and frank them before sending them to the main post office on the Cornhill.
The old Cattle Market is still signposted, long after the building's demolition.
Do you remember taking letters to be sorted? Did you work at the sorting office or with Royal Mail in Ipswich when it was active? Let us know.
Botwoods showroom and garage
Botwoods, part of Mann Egerton Group, had garages in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Wisbech and sold many of the top car brands of the day.
This included Jaguar, Daimler and Rover.
The Ipswich showroom was located at Major's Corner, next door the the Regent Theatre, in the lot that was eventually turned into the Odeon.
Did you buy your first car from this now long-gone dealer? Let us know.
Debenhams was open, used to be Footmans
Footman's remains a classic of the old Ipswich High Street.
Located in the former Debenhams, Footmans - full name Footman and Pretty - was a department store that many have fond memories of.
Much like Debenhams it sold anything, from food, to fabrics, and furniture.
It closed in the mid-1970s.
BHS in Tavern Street
Another fixture of the High Street from the 60s and 70s was BHS.
The shop was located where clothing retailer H&M is - a spot also previously occupied by Superdrug.
Following its closure, it relocated to the Buttermarket, where it remained until its closure in 2016.
BHS, short for British Home Stores, did exactly what it said on the tin.
It sold numerous home goods and clothing, with the Ipswich branch being built in 1937 in a purpose-built art deco building.
It was famously sold for £1 in 2015, before going bust the following year.
Do you still have anything in your house brought at BHS? Let us know.
Martin & Newby, Ipswich's oldest business
The distinction of oldest business in Ipswich goes to Martin & Newby.
Founded in 1873, the tool shop was located in Fore Street.
It made national headlines in 2001, when the longest-lasting lightbulb in England - and fifth in the world - went out after 70 years.
Unfortunately, unable to keep up with the rise of home DIY superstores in the mid-2000s, the shop closed in 2004.
Are there any we missed? What are your favourite memories of Ipswich? Let us know.
