Cornhill marks milestone as Countdown to completion begins

A major milestone has been reached in the redevelopment of the former Post Office in Bury St Edmunds, as the project moves closer to completion.

Led by West Suffolk Council, the redevelopment project is being delivered by Barnes Construction, with completion scheduled for this summer. The scheme will preserve the historic Victorian Cornhill frontage while bringing the building back into active commercial use and improving accessibility.

The development will also create a new commercial frontage onto St Andrews Street South, strengthening the connection between the historic town centre and The Arc shopping area. At ground level, the Market Thoroughfare walkway will be widened by more than 50%, encouraging increased footfall between key areas.

Once complete, the scheme will provide two new ground-floor commercial units along with 12 residential apartments above, alongside several sustainability features including new energy-efficient windows, solar panels, and an air source heat pump.

Representatives from West Suffolk Council, Barnes Construction, Concertus Design and Property Consultants, and Zenon Group (before Superstructures) recently visited the rooftop to mark progress on the project.

Cllr John Griffiths, Leader of West Suffolk Council, commented:“It is fantastic to see the progress being made on what is a significant investment in the town centre. This project demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring the town remains a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.”

Cllr Susan Glossop added:“This is an ambitious redevelopment, and we are grateful to the public and our partners who have contributed to shaping the final design. It is exciting to see the project nearing completion.”

Mark Bailey, Director at Barnes Construction, said:“We are delighted to be delivering this technically challenging and important town centre project. The completed scheme will provide an enhanced connection between the historic town and The Arc.”

The project forms part of a wider regional investment programme supported by the Government’s Getting Building Fund, aimed at revitalising town centres and supporting economic recovery.