7 Ipswich pubs that readers wished never closed

We asked our readers to uncover which pubs in Ipswich they wished had never closed.

Here are seven pubs that were mentioned on a number of occasions by our readers.

1. Hare and Hounds

One of the most popular pubs on the list was the Hare and Hounds pub which was formerly in Norwich Road.

The pub was once branded one of the 'toughest' pubs in Britain on a TV show.

The Hare & Hounds in Ipswich's Norwich Road in 1974 (Image: Archant)

According to Suffolk CAMRA the pub was a popular place for Town fans to stop off both before and after games at Portman Road.

The pub closed for the final time in July 2010 before the building was purchased by Coe's

2. The Heathlands

The Heathlands dated back to the 1890s and was a community hub for more than a century.

Customers at The Heathlands pub on Foxhall Road in Ipswich in1974 (Image: Archant)

The Foxhall Road pub was a popular stop off for sports fans.

The doors of The Heathlands closed for the final time in May 2013.

3. Trader Jacks

A popular place to go for those who like a dance.

This breakdancers shows off his moves at hip hop night at Traders Bar in Ipswich back in August 1999 (Image: Archant)

At Trader Jack's, a selection of DJ's and performers would appear at special event nights, such as the hip hop night in 1999.

The bar was located next to Zest in the original Hollywood's club.

4. The Emperor

The Norwich Road pub, which has now been converted into a Tesco Express, closed its doors for the final time in 2013.

Its former regulars campaigned to keep The Emperor Inn open before its closure.

The pub hosted a number of charity events including when they held a Christmas appeal in 1996, when locals raised money for a Christmas tree.

5. Blooming Fuchsia

The pub which formerly stood in Foxhall Road closed in 2009 and was demolished in 2010.

Were you a regular up the Blooming Fuchsia? (Image: Archant)

The history of the Blooming Fuchsia dates back to late 1880s.

6. Royal Oak

Another name that was mentioned on a number of occasions was the Royal Oak.

The former Felixstowe Road pub was well-known for its live music nights.

The Royal Oak pub in Felixstowe Road, Ipswich.

The pub closed down for the last time in January 2014.

It's since been given a fresh lease of life as a café and is now occupied by Emmaus Suffolk, which uses it to support the charity's work with the homeless.

7. Safe Harbour

The Safe Harbour, in Meredith Road, was another popular choice for the list.

The Aldi at Meredith Road was built on the site of the Safe Harbour pub which closed and was demolished in 1995. Picture: DAVID KINDRED

The popular watering hole closed in 1995 and was demolished in 1997.

This huge public house was built by the Tollemache Brewery and it was one of several built in Ipswich that became known as “Tolly Follies”.