First designs of ‘landmark project’ at former post office building in Bury St Edmunds revealed

A view from the Arc shopping centre of how the redevelopment could look with shops, flats and a wider link Picture: ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL (Image: Archant)

The frontage of the Victorian building at 17-18 Cornhill will remain in the £6.7million redevelopment but the majority of the building could be demolished and rebuilt under the proposals.

First images outlining St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s vision for the project show how archways at the front of the iconic building leading to a retail arcade and wider Market Thoroughfare link could look.

Around 12 residential apartments are set for the three storeys above the ground floor of the building, which is planned to house retail units.

The borough council hopes the “landmark development” will act as a catalyst for further transformation in the area.

A sketch of the wider link from Market Thoroughfare Picture: ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL (Image: Archant)

John Griffiths, leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said: “This is a major investment in the heart of Bury St Edmunds town centre and the future of our local economy.

“We hope residents and businesses will be just as excited as we are when they see what we are looking to achieve.

“We see this as a landmark development, something which will ignite the imaginations of other landowners and investors particularly in St Andrews Street South where we will create a new shop front.”

The issue of a wider link between the Arc shopping centre and the ‘old’ town centre has been a long-standing issue in the town, and was a key issue in the Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Masterplan.

A view from the front of Market Thoroughfare of the proposed redevelopment Picture: ST EDMUNDSBURY (Image: Archant)

Mr Griffiths added: “[The project] will also achieve our long term ambition to widen Market Thoroughfare for the good of the town – something that we were previously unable to deliver as we didn’t own any of the buildings.”

Alaric Pugh, cabinet member for planning and growth said: “These designs have already been shaped by what the public had to say during our town centre masterplan engagement last year.

“We have also been working alongside an advisory group which includes the representatives of businesses and other key town centre partners, and their input has been invaluable.”

Designs will now go on show at a public exhibition in the building on Wednesday, June 27, and Saturday, July 7, from 8am to 4pm on both days.

The back of the proposed development showing flats above the shopfronts Picture: ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL (Image: Archant)