Jamaica Blue is a casual dining café franchise serving freshly made dishes along with premium coffee from the Jamaican Blue Mountains, operating from 20 locations across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
While this application is considered by the Local Planning Authority, the council will continue to work at pace to appoint a contractor who will start work by the end of May to carry out the significant repairs and refurbishment needed to bring the building back into use for new occupiers.
Having received a number of enquiries for the other unit within the former Grimwades, the Council is confident of swiftly agreeing terms with a new tenant for that unit and is expecting that both new tenants will take up occupancy and be adding to the vibrancy of the heart of the town centre later this year following the completion of the refurbishment.
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Ipswich Borough Council Leader, says:
“I am sure residents will be excited to see things moving so fast for the Grimwades building, and it’s great news that they will be able to picture what it could be like once it is occupied. I’m delighted that we have received a planning application for the first of the two units. If approved, it will be a step forward to bringing a buzz of people and vibrancy to what was a long-empty space, enhancing the enjoyment of the town centre for residents.”
From Jamaica Blue:
Jamaica Blue, an Australian-owned brand of cafés, is expanding its footprint with the opening of what we hope will be its 21st Café in the UK.
To be located in the former Grimwades store on the Cornhill, the opening of the new café will see Jamaica Blue invest over £300,000, with the creation of 20 new full-time and part-time roles. Jamaica Blue is on target to open in Summer 2025.
Ipswich is part of the current expansion phase for the brand, with several more stores set to open in key locations across the UK in the next 3 months.
Speaking of the upcoming opening of the new Ipswich location, Michael Johnson, Franchise Development Executive at Jamaica Blue comments:“Over the past few years, we have enjoyed a host of openings across the UK with our franchisedJamaica Blue cafes.
He adds: “We already have 20 Jamaica Blue outlets and we’re actively looking for new sites and franchise partners to join us and grow. Franchising is a proven way for newcomers to become involved in the café business.
“Jamaica Blue has been particularly well received thanks to our premium coffee offering and classic dishes with a twist. We are thrilled to be bringing Jamaica Blue’s signature offerings to the town of Ipswich. Our commitment to quality, freshness, and innovation remains at our forefront as we continue to expand our presence across the UK. We look forward to welcoming guests to our new store and sharing the Jamaica Blue experience with even more communities in the near future.”
Further confirmed openings for FoodCo, which also franchises the Muffin Break brand, will be in Bracknell, Worcester, Watford, Bangor NI, Newbury, and Tunbridge Wells in the coming months.
