Glasswells' new £5million Ipswich store on track for December opening.
As the huge 35,000 sq.ft. mezzanine floor is installed, Paul Glasswell inspects progress at Glasswells’ new £5million home furnishings store in Ipswich.
The new 73,000 sq. ft retail showroom, mirroring Glasswells’ massive Bury St Edmunds showroom, is set to provide a major retail and jobs boost for Ipswich when it opens in December on Orwell Retail Park.
To support the huge mezzanine structure, comprising approximately 100 tonnes of steel, 145 piles have been bored to provide foundations. Barnes Construction is carrying out the building work.
Paul Glasswell, who is managing director of Glasswells, said, “Since work began little over two months ago everyone has been working very hard to make sure we’re open in good time for Christmas. We’ve set ourselves a tight schedule, and I’m delighted to say that all is on track.”
Under the one roof will be a wide array of home furnishings, an in-store designer service and contract furnishing for businesses. The new showroom will also have a restaurant – Place to Eat - which will be open daily for tea and coffee, as well as home-cooked cakes and freshly-prepared meals.
Glasswells is a 60 year old family business, set up by Paul Glasswell’s father, Leslie Glasswell, (who is still chairman of the company) and grandfather in Bury St Edmunds. Glasswells also has showrooms in Martlesham Heath, Saffron Walden and Haverhill and also specialises in contract furnishings, furniture removals and storage.