Draft:Cumberland Towers (Ipswich)

The Cumberland Towers is a tower block located in the centre of Ipswich, Suffolk, England. Constructed in 1966, the tower stands at a height of 35 meters and comprises of 63 flats, each featuring one bedroom.

Overview
The address for the Cumberland Towers is 131 Norwich Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2NN. It is under the jurisdiction of the Ipswich Housing Authority and falls within the purview of the Suffolk Social Care Authority.

Facilities and Services
Cumberland Towers provides a residents' car park, with permits available for family and friends who visit. The car park is patrolled twice a day, and both the car park and communal areas are linked to a CCTV system. The tower also has non-resident management staff and offers a Careline alarm service. Other facilities include a lift, lounge, dining room, laundry, garden, and conservatory.

Renovation
In 2017, Cumberland Towers underwent a renovation, shifting from its previous brutalist style to a new colour scheme of beige, brown, and purple, significantly altering its appearance. The works also comprised of new balcony screens, a heating system, roof insulation, energy-efficient windows, and SPSenvirowall external wall insulation.

Retirement Housing
The tower consists of 63 flats, all of which are one-bedroom units. The Cumberland Towers actively promotes social activities through its social club, which charges a subscription fee of £2.00 per month. New residents are accepted from the age of 60.

The building was originally built as regular housing, but was bought by Ipswich Borough Council in 1980, and was converted into retirement housing.

Fire Incidents
On November 23, 2017, Cumberland Towers in Ipswich experienced a fire on its sixth floor at around 6:30 pm. Two individuals sustained injuries—one with burns and bruises, and another with smoke inhalation. Emergency crews, including ten fire engines, swiftly responded to the incident, containing the fire to one flat. The injured were promptly attended to by ambulance services and nearby hospitals. Investigations into the cause of the fire were initiated collaboratively by Suffolk police and the fire service. Residents, evacuated as a precaution, were able to return to their flats around 10 pm, with council officers providing support at the scene.

On February 25, 2023, a fire broke out in the bin store at the Cumberland towers at around 4:10 pm. No one was injured, and the fire was not being treated as suspicious.