The Buttermarket Ipswich

The brand new Empire cinema offers much more than the average cinema experience – relax in style with even the standard seating being on the luxurious side, also with upgrade options of luxury recliners or two-seater sofas for the ultimate comfort. If you can, book a showing in one of their two IMPACT screens, with extra legroom, top quality sound and bigger screens. And for a pre-film meal, you won’t find overpriced hot dogs. Instead, head to one of the Buttermarket’s many restaurants, with Wagamama, Byron, Prezzo, Coast to Coast and more to choose from.

For more wet-day-friendly family entertainment, there’s the Superbowl UK tenpin bowling alley also within Buttermarket Ipswich. As well as twelve bowling lanes, there’s additional fun for kids of all ages: a ninja tag assault course, soft play centre and amusement arcades. Or for some more strenuous activity for adult visitors, a new 24-hour PureGym is also housed within the Buttermarket centre. 

Shops in the centre include TK Maxx, Boots and New Look, with even more in the pipeline now that the renovations are completed. There are multiple coffee shops to choose from for a refreshment stop, and the handy central location means that you can reach all of Ipswich’s top shopping streets within easy walking distance. Most stores within the centre open their doors 9am–5.30pm during the week (with Sunday opening hours 10am–4.30pm) while the restaurants, cinema and entertainment will be open even later. If you’re arriving by car, a handy 420-space multi storey car park (short stay only) is directly connected to the main shopping complex, so there’s no mad dash to the car on rainy days! It’s open 24 hours, so it’s useful as well for late-night cinema showings.