Ipswich town centre on the first day of the second coronavirus lockdown Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND - Credit: Charlotte Bond Experts say it is likely to be next year when the full impact of Covid-19 on Ipswich town centre is seen - as new data about the number of empty shops is published. Figures from Ipswich Central for its BID (business improvement district) area indicated a vacancy rate of 13% in June, 13.06% in September and 12.69% last month, which included retailers, banks and building societies, bars, restaurants and cafes. At Ipswich Borough Council, a survey of 532 units in the town was carried out on Wednesday last week, and recorded 88 vacant units - 13 more than the same time last year.