Buttermarket shopping centre celebrates 25th birthday - we look back at how it has changed

Work gets underway to build the Buttermarket Shopping Centre in 1992. Picture: JANICE POULSON (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

A big birthday cake is being cut by staff on Saturday to mark the anniversary as the centre hosts a day of free entertainment for all the family.

The centre, which has become a landmark in Ipswich, first opened its doors to the public on October 1, 1992, offering 270,000 sq ft of shopping space over four levels, costing a total of £64 million to build.

The opening of the Buttermarket in October 1992. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

The main tenants at the time were the Owen Owen department store, which operated over two floors, and C&A, which went into administration in 2000.

The shopping centre included the Promenade Food Court, which could comfortably seat 350 people, which was replaced by the Balcony Foodcourt in 2008.

The centre cost �65 million to build in 1992. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

However, over the past two years the centre has seen a dramatic transformation.

In April 2015 Capital and Regional announced plans to build a new cinema in the centre along with six restaurants.

Boots is the only original store still open from the selection of shops and restaurants that opened initially back in 1992. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

The glass frontage of the building was removed and replaced with an open courtyard area with several big chain restaurants taking up residency.

The upper floors of the four-storey centre have been converted into the new Empire 14-screen cinema complex, which opened in March this year.

In March 2015, The Buttermarket was bought by Capital & Regional and Drum Property Group for �9.2 million. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Among Saturday’s birthday entertainment will be mind-reader and magician Michael Gee, stilt walking musicians the Top Bananas and ballroom dancing from the Ipswich School of Dance.

Free fizz will be served on the central rotunda, along with a host of deals and competitions.

When the centre opened in 1992, Owen Owen and C&A were the anchor stores. However, since then, TK Maxx has taken over the centre role. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Centre manager, Andrew Wilcox, said: “We’re thrilled to be celebrating 25 years at the Buttermarket.

“The centre has undergone such a huge transformation over the last couple of years and is looking better than ever.

The buttermarket complex in Ipswich nears completion in 1992. Picture: JANICE POULSON (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

“We’re very lucky to have such a great line up of stores and restaurants, not to mention Empire, our 14 screen cinema.

“As we move forward into a new chapter at the Buttermarket, our primary focus remains the delivery of a quality experience for our visitors and looking ahead to what the next 25 years may bring.

The Buttermarket shopping centre, Ipswich. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

“We hope many of our customers will be with us on Saturday to celebrate.”

The buttermarket in construction. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

The Buttermarket shopping arcade, which was converted to a BHS store. This photograph was taken in May 1995. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

An aerial view of the Buttermarket taken in October 1991. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

St Stephens Lane, Ipswich, in 1991, before buiding work has started on the Buttermarket Shopping Centre. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Archant)

Work on the Buttermarket Centre has now been completed. (Image: www.paulwhite.co.uk 2016)

The glass forntage has since been replaced by an open courtyard. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: www.paulwhite.co.uk 2016)

The Royal Mail sorting office in the Old Cattle Market, Ipswich. The site was cleared to build the Buttermarket Shopping Centre. Picture: ARCHANT (Image: Dave Kindred)