Q: in 2018 how excited was I to hear that Pret intended to open in Ipswich?
A: very excited.
Q: in 2019 how exasperated was I to hear that Pret pulled out?
A: very exasperated.
Q: in 2022 how amused was I to see a Pret logo in Ipswich and then again?
A: very amused.

So, no Pret, not yet. But at least that familiar Pret deep red branding has finally gone from the Cornhill with the most welcome arrival of rival chain Jamaica Blue in the old Grimwades shop. They offer "classics with a twist" according to their site. And I should say I'd already had a couple of commendable coffee 'n' cakes in there before meeting the boy Andy for a late light lunch. Which works well for him, car-wise, since there's flat rate parking at Franciscan Way after 14:00.

Somewhat sunny stroll up past Cafe Myra and Central Canteen and Honey & Harvey and into a buzzin' super central Jamaica Blue: opened July 2025, BTW. Needing the loo, Andy spends nineteen nanoseconds deciding on his order, the £14 bang-bang burger with chips, and a berry smoothie, please. Lucky that one of us is still earning, eh? Might as well treat myself to the gyros in Yorkshire pudding, that traditional Greek/Leeds combo, and a key lime smoothie, please. Half an hour later, at our decent table with the decent view of the downtown 'Swich, I was digesting and helping him to finish his chips since he's meant to be cutting down the carbs. All good, never mind.

There's some very positive talk of outcomes from his stem cell treatment, another reason for indulging in some shared raspberry matcha cake and cream. This despite Andy drowning in home-grown raspberries. We're absently staring at the Cornhill water spouts when an August downpour kicks in: summer's nearly over, kids. Jamaica Blue will more than do.

If it was a car -- Island Cruiser.
If they were passing by -- Don Letts.