Sailmakers shopping centre to be sold at auction

Sailmakers shopping centre in Ipswich was previously bought by ALB Group in 2022

A shopping centre set to be partly converted into flats is to be sold at auction.

Sailmakers shopping centre in Tavern Street, Ipswich, will go under the hammer on 21 March, as first reported in the East Anglian Daily Times.

It comes after plans were approved last week to convert the first and second floor levels into flats.

The centre, which is spread over 8,040 sq metres (86,500 sq ft), has an estimated value of £3m.

Plans for new flats in the centre's upper floors were approved last week

It is believed all the units inside the centre - including branches of River Island, Morrisons and Poundland - will remain in place during an expected six-week sale completion.

'High street rethink'

The Nottingham-based property firm, ALB Group, bought the centre in 2022.

The owner at the time said the firm was "determined to rethink the way high streets are managed".

Ipswich Borough Council green lit plans to create 26 new homes in the centre last week. The proposals remain unchanged.

The development will have 14 one-bedroom flats, six two-bedroom flats and six studios on the upper floors.

Bidding for the centre, which has been listed on Allsop, will open at 11:00 GMT on 21 March.

ALB Group has been approached for comment.