Borough set to take tough action on empty Grimwades building

At its meeting on 13 June, Ipswich Borough Council’s Executive will be recommended to start Compulsory Purchase proceedings for the building known locally as Grimwades.

This building has been vacant for over a decade and following extensive negotiations to try to buy the building, the Borough fears it could remain empty for many more years.

Councillor Neil MacDonald, Ipswich Borough Council Leader, says:

“It’s disappointing that the owner – who lives in Dubai – has refused to sell the building to the Council, while restricting the prospective use of the building in his ownership. This empty building blights our Town Centre.

“The Council knows that there are potential occupiers out there who would happily lease the building from us if we had control of it. We only use Compulsory Purchase powers where we believe that there is no other option. It seems this is the only way to bring this building back into use, for the benefit of the Town.

“Ipswich Borough Council is actively engaging with the landlords of other empty buildings in the town to encourage them back into use. We want to see a vibrant town centre as much as residents do and will be relentless in our work to achieve this.”

Full papers for Ipswich Borough Council Executive on Tuesday 13 June 2023 at 6pm can be found online at: Agenda for Executive on Tuesday 13th June 2023, 6.00 pm | Democracy Online | Ipswich Borough Council

Image credit – Ipswich Borough Council