A MULTI-million pound shopping development hailed as the “crown jewel” of a Suffolk town has finally opened.

Dave Gooderham

A MULTI-million pound shopping development hailed as the “crown jewel” of a Suffolk town has finally opened.

The �100million Arc development, on the site of the former Cattle Market in Bury St Edmunds, opened this morning with the promise of 300 new jobs in the historic town.

Community leaders, dignitaries and eager shoppers flooded the centre, and its flagship store Debenhams, putting an end to the ambitious project that was nine years in the making.

Paul Haynes, centre manager of Arc, paid tribute to the “world class” development team and described the centre as the crown jewel of the town.

He said: “Everyone has worked very hard and done a fantastic job in bringing this project to fruition. The Arc has been developed to serve as an extension to the existing town centre, integrating with and adding something new and exciting to Bury.”

Bob Cockle, mayor of St Edmundsbury, said the development was another chapter in the history of the famous market town.

Addressing the official opening ceremony of the Arc, Mr Cockle said: “What a change this is from the days of the Cattle Market but we are bringing the old with the new.

“We welcome the opportunity the Arc has brought and the excitement of the stunning Debenhams store. Its architecture has provided a wide range of opinions but I am sure the Abbeygate in 1357 probably had people talking about it.

“We are in the most difficult economic times but this is an exciting day for Bury St Edmunds.”

See tomorrow's East Anglian Daily Times for the best coverage and pictures of the opening of the Arc.