The latest programme to clean up Ipswich is well underway. In the past two weeks, Ipswich Central’s Street Rangers have been removing graffiti from walls and buildings, getting rid of weeds from pavements, and cleaning footpaths and alleyways that may have been ignored for years.

It is all part of the recently launched BID for Ipswich’s town centre, aimed at making it a better place to shop, work and visit. In all, £3.2 million has been committed to a range of improvements over the next five years, all paid for by businesses in the area.

Paul Clement, Executive Director of Ipswich Central has been out with the Rangers to see first-hand how the cleaning-up programme is working. “The BID has been supremely successful in its first few months, primarily because we have been prepared to roll our sleeves up and tackle important issues rather than just talk about them. Ipswich Central is able to carry out much of this work, but we are also working closely with the Ipswich Borough Council cleaning team. People in the town centre tell us that they are really noticing a difference.”

Dana Van Der Venter, the Street Ranger manager says; “As well as the graffiti and weed removal, we are cleaning up other areas such as unsightly boards and signs, removing discarded items which have included old bikes and redundant car batteries. We are doing all we can to improve and enhance the town centre appearance. Then everyone is happy!”

Other successful projects launched by the BID company have included free park and ride and car parking, a state of the art radio security system, improved customer safety, crime reduction, and a new marketing campaign.