£4m plans for Ipswich's Tower Ramparts backed by council

Tower Ramparts, which opened in 1986, is due to be renamed Sailmakers

A £4m revamp of a shopping centre is set to go ahead, as council planners have recommended that designs are approved.

Tower Ramparts in Ipswich is due to be renamed Sailmakers, with "extensive internal renovations" drawing on the town's maritime heritage.

New entrance signs, based on the Thames barges that once sailed along the River Gipping, will also be installed.

Ipswich Borough Council is to discuss the planning application on 1 October.

Officers said the plans were of a "high standard of design" and would enhance the area without "detriment to listed buildings".

Topshop and Boots currently have stores in Tower Ramparts

The existing "crown" signage will be replaced

LaSalle Investment Management bought Tower Ramparts in 2011, when many of the shop units were vacant.

The firm described the state of the shopping centre at the time as "neglected" and "tired and in need of revitalisation".

The bus station at the front of Tower Ramparts was recently redeveloped

Tower Ramparts celebrated its 25th birthday in 2011