We have a vibrant town centre

Our latest Bury Free Press feature is about Bury St Edmunds town centre in 2023. By Terry O’Donoghue & Alan Baxter

Nothing attracts more passionate comment from the people of Bury St Edmunds than on the appearance and make up of the town centre. Indeed, that is how the Society sprang into existence over 50 years ago when there were major plans to demolish part of St John’s Street and create, what would have soon become a tired and dated 1960s soulless shopping centre.

Of course, the whole of the ever expanding town and its development is of importance to the Bury Society. In the recent past the Society’s efforts were a major contribution to the successful opposition to the original Cornhill Walk redevelopment proposal in 2017. Sadly, this development, and the much revised plans which flowed from that original opposition, still attracts adverse comment from some quarters.

The Society’s worst fears have not always been realised. The arc shopping centre which followed on from the demise of the Old Cattle Market has proved a great success, despite society reservations as to its size and impact on the old town centre. We were able to influence the developers, Centros Miller, and work with them and the council to enhance the car parking area and soften the landscaping with trees and planters throughout the centre.

The arc has indeed proved to be complementary to, rather than in opposition to the old town centre and it is notable that Bury is considered a very important retail centre; as witnessed by the speedy uptake of the former Debenhams store in the arc by Primark which opens in 2024. In general, a healthy number of traditional and local independent retail outlets sit comfortably alongside the national chains.

A vibrant town centre needs new life in all sectors, and we are fortunate to have a healthy mix of the traditional with something new. Traditional town centres are changing rapidly, and some towns have failed to adapt, resulting in a semi-arid retail landscape. Bury is not one of those – the retail vacancy rate in the town is, at 7%, around half the national average. Bury is also becoming nationally renowned as a ‘foodie destination’ for the offer and quality of the local restaurants and café scene.

To retain within people‘s minds that Bury St Edmunds is a nice town to visit, whilst experiencing our retail mix and hospitality, is a constant challenge.  It is important to retain the town’s character and there have been successes such as the saving of the old Post Office frontage on Cornhill. This grand and imposing Victorian façade has been retained in front of a mix of modern apartments and manageable retail space along a link to the modern arc shopping centre. Conversely, the society has been very vocal in flagging up the serious and unnecessary deterioration of the Greggs building on Abbeygate Street – one of the finest examples of a Georgian shop frontage in the region. We would like to think that our efforts and those of others has contributed to the erection of scaffolding and signs of work as we go to press.

The Bury Society will continue to monitor and, where necessary, challenge any plans to destroy or overwhelm the historical town centre and surrounding townscape. It is vital that this part of the town’s character is respected. We also see the need to continuously adapt and provide a whole range of up to date attractions for its residents and visitors. Our work as a society is to promote change without losing that very special essence of what makes the town such a special place to live, work and visit. Our voice will be made stronger by a large and more diverse membership, so consider adding to that by joining the Bury Society. Details of our work and a membership form can be found on our website www.burysociety.com