What is Ipswich famous for?
Ipswich is the home of world famous comedy character, Alan Partridge. Sorry, that’s Norwich. Ipswich is famous for winning last year’s football premier league against all odds. Sorry, that’s Leicester. Ipswich is one of the largest towns in Suffolk and is famous for being steeped in Roman, Saxon and Viking history, which is true. In recent years, the city has benefitted from a comprehensive gentrification area, which has turned the docks into one of the most attractive waterfront areas in Suffolk. It is twinned with the French town of Arras, and in 2007 was awarded the coveted title of being the cleanest town in the entire UK.
Living in Ipswich
Ipswich has a surprisingly vibrant and sometimes undervalued arts scene, which include high profile galleries at Christchurch Mansion, The Town Hall, and the Artists Gallery at Electric House. In the last decade or so, the Ipswich Arts Festival has become a regular fixture in the area and features a celebrated and eclectic artistic repertoire, including: poetry, performance art, music, ballet, film, photography, literature and much more. In 2015, the city started to host the Ipswich Jazz Festival which received critical acclaim and rave reviews for its mix of emerging new talent and established musicians.
Ipswich offers shoppers a range of traditional and contemporary shopping experiences. The diverse options include, the Saints, a quirky and sometimes bohemian area which features a wealth of independent boutiques, superb eateries, stylish bars, cozy bistros and delightful tea rooms. Queen Street is also considered as something as a haven for shoppers, and is home to the famous fashion store, Urban Village which stocks an extensive range of all the most cutting edge and trendy fashion brands. If you’re looking for the convenience and wide choice found within shopping centres, then Ipswich is home to two- the Buttermarket Centre and Sailmakers, and a wide range of national chains can be found on Westgate Street, Butter Market and Tavern Street.
According to the Index of Multiple Deprivation from 2010 6.6% of the town’s population lives within the most deprived fifth of areas in England. 9 areas of the town are ranked within the top 10% most deprived areas nationally. 7425 children live in households where no-one works.
Housing – is it affordable?
In a survey conducted by the property company Rightmove in 2015, Ipswich was found to be the third happiest place to live in the UK, behind Harrogate and Shrewsbury, partly as a consequence of its low crime, abundant green spaces and parks, relatively high unemployment and recent gentrification. The most popular areas for families include the leafy suburbs of Kesgrave, Martlesham and Rushmere St Andrew which is also home to a range of excellent schools, parks and family friendly amenities. As with most areas in the UK, property prices range hugely, although it is possible to find a good sized semi-detached house in the city for around £200,000. According to the latest Ofsted report the best schools include the previously mentioned Kesgrave High School, Copelston High School, Northgate High School and Hadleigh High School.
Ipswich and Sport
Established in 1878, Ipswich Town endures as one of the UK’s oldest football teams and whilst it has enjoyed mixed fortunes over the years still has a devotional and loyal band of supporters. The club has boasted several iconic players over the years, including the manager of England’s legendary 1966 World Cup winning team, Sir Alf Ramsey, Bobby Robson, Mick Mills, John Wark and Trevor Beattie. However if you’re not a football enthusiast, there are a range of many other sports on offer in the area including: speedway, rugby union and rugby league. The city is also famous for its consistently successful American football team, the Ipswich Cardinals and is host to the world famous swimming club team, Ipswich Swimming which boasts the gold medallist world championship winner Karen Pickering as its most famous member. The city also provides easy access to the tranquil if fairly flat surroundings of the Suffolk countryside and coastline should you be a keen or casual walker.
Legal Job Market in Ipswich
There are c.40 law firms based within a few miles of Ipswich town centre. A couple of national law firms have offices here including Eversheds and a commercial practice with its base in the town, Birketts. The remainder are predominantly high street practices, although there has always seemed a large legal market servicing local authorities and government institutions in the area. Ipswich is not known for a large commercial law market and salary levels in Suffolk and Norfolk have felt to be stuck at Stone Age levels at times.
To find out how Ten Percent Legal Recruitment can help you source a legal job in Ipswich please email cv@ten-percent.co.uk.