Retail, leisure and holiday venue feel the positivity of Stonham Aspal village link following recent boundary change.

Stonham Barns Park – one of Suffolk’s premier leisure, retail and holiday destinations – has always valued its position within the local community but a recent investment upgrade and boundary change have combined to make it a regional hot-spot for new business start-ups.

The site has recently become a part of its village namesake Stonham Aspal and is nearby the villages of Mickfield, Little Stonham and Pettaugh. Serving the wider communities of Stowmarket, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich, its position in Mid-Suffolk puts it at the heart of these communities offering retail, postal, village shop and sporting amenities.  It also welcomes visitors from Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex and from all over the UK.

The recently upgraded visitor attraction best-known for its award-winning Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, Teapot Pottery, Aspal Antiques centre, holiday park and campsite also feature a café restaurant, golf centre, sports bar, soft play facility, fishing lakes, garden centre, events show ground and soon to be constructed Leisure Lake, Adventure Footgolf Course and a 40-outlet retail village.

As the venue has welcomed more visitors from the local community, it has attracted a number of new ‘grass roots’ businesses looking to expand their presence in Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex.  Among the new outlets that have opened in the last two months have included GG Trading Cards and Collectables, My Favourite Things, Twice as Nice, Flowers for All Occasions, and Anglia Fishing and Field Sports.  Two additional businesses are following shortly which makes a record of seven new business start-ups at the venue in an eight-week period.

Commenting on the recent upturn, Janice Rowles of Stonham Barns Park says, ‘This is fabulous news for the venue. So many new introductions to the retail village, when we know that times could not be more challenging for grass-roots businesses.  The new tenants specialise in a very wide range of artisan and creative products including beautiful painted furniture and accessories, pre-loved designer clothes, silk flowers, gaming cards and series collectables, and sports accessories. It’s a mix of contemporary and creative businesses and we are delighted to have welcomed them to Stonham Barns Park.’

‘As a venue we are keeping retail ‘affordable’ by offering high quality, flexible and low-cost retail space for the benefit of both retailers and the local community who we are here to serve. For anyone who has not come to see the retail village recently, we do suggest that you pop in to see what’s on offer soon.  There’s something for everyone – and the parking is free!’

Along with the recent village boundary change has come a reduction in the speed limit on the busy A1120 at Stonham Barns Park from 50mph to 30mph – a positive change for villagers and the venue. The change has enabled improved traffic management on busy days at the venue and provided for better safety for everyone.

Janice Rowles has long-established family roots at Stonham Aspal.  Originally from Woodbridge, she has worked at Stonham Barns Park for many years, in the village where her mother lived as a young girl.  Her grandparents kept the Village Post Office and stores in Little Stonham, and her mother attended Stonham Aspal School.  Janice’s parents married in Little Stonham Baptist Church, where they are now buried, and her grandchildren now attend Stonham Aspal VA Primary School.

Starglade Leisure – which also owns Pisces Country Park and Acorn Holiday Park at Welney on the Cambridge/Norfolk border – has owned Stonham Barns Park for over 10 years and has invested heavily in its infrastructure.  Says Director Keith Forward, ‘Stonham Barns Park is emerging as a destination of choice for visitors from all over the UK and Europe.  It is now a vibrant yet relaxing holiday destination in the heart of Suffolk and as a direct result of tourism expanding, we are welcoming an increasing number of visitors as well as the local communities.’

‘We are developing some new facilities that work in synergy with our surroundings to enhance the visitor experience and will be unveiling some of these in the months ahead.’

‘Our mission is to be a place for locals to visit to relax, for visitors to stay and play, and for businesses to come for corporate events and activities.’

The most recent additions to the venue include Café 24 and the recently opened Legends Sports Bar, a bar developed in honour of a variety of sporting legends for the community and for those visiting for holidays and short breaks.

Stonham Barns Park is a day out for all the family to suit all ages. Other activities at the leisure, retail and holiday venue include The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, Cafe 24, The Golf Centre including Adventure Golf and FootGolf, The Teapot Pottery, holiday lodges, a caravan park, camping and glamping, and fishing lakes.

For more information about Stonham Barns Park please contact 01449 711901 or visit www.stonhambarns.co.uk