Construction work is to start to fit-out the Old Post Office building on Ipswich's Cornhill to make way for The Botanist restaurant.

The New World Trading Company, which owns The Botanist, aims to open the restaurant in mid-February 2022.

As part of its plans for the restaurant, it has also submitted an application for a pavement licence to allow them to have outdoor seating. The application includes a request for a main forecourt seating area at the front of the building and a row of tables and chairs down the side of the building on Princes Street.

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Ipswich Borough Council will be relocating the Princes Street market traders to new positions in front of and underneath Lloyds Arch and the lower part of Lloyds Avenue. Traders based at the Food Quarter on Giles Circus and Queen Street will remain in place.

The market will continue to trade four days a week – on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays – and the Lloyds Avenue Taxi Rank will be unaffected as the market stalls will be distanced away from the taxi turning point and set up will take place within the designated market area.

Natasha Waterfield, Chief Operating Officer for New World Trading Company, said: "We are delighted to bring The Botanist to Ipswich. We have been looking at the town for some time and we are really pleased to be able to find its home in such a unique and suitable setting.

"We're positive The Botanist will bring a unique vibe to the community, creating new job opportunities - in management, front of house and kitchen - whilst cultivating a secret garden of food and drink that can be explored and enjoyed by all. We can’t wait to welcome you."