WORK on Glasswells' new 73,000 sq ft home furnishings showroom in Ipswich is on track for its scheduled pre-Christmas opening. The new store, mirroring Glasswells' showroom in Bury St Edmunds, is set to provide a major retail and jobs boost for Ipswich when it opens in December on the Orwell Retail Park.

WORK on Glasswells' new 73,000 sq ft home furnishings showroom in Ipswich is on track for its scheduled pre-Christmas opening.

The new store, mirroring Glasswells' showroom in Bury St Edmunds, is set to provide a major retail and jobs boost for Ipswich when it opens in December on the Orwell Retail Park.

The £5million investment includes the addition of a 35,000 sq ft mezzanine floor within the building - formerly occupied by Courts - which involves around 100 tonnes of steel.

Building work, being led by Barnes Construction, has seen 145 piles bored to provide foundations and the fabrication work is now at an advanced stage.

Paul Glasswell, who is managing director of Glasswells, said: “Since work began a 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, plus an in-store restaurant.

Glasswells is a 60 year old family business, set up by Paul Glasswell's father, Leslie (who is still chairman of the company) and grandfather Jerry 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.

The other stores on the Orwell Retail Park will remain unchanged as a result of the development of the Glasswells store.