Community leaders have their say on City of Culture bid

On Thursday, October 30, the competition to become the next City of Culture in 2029 was launched by the Government with the MP for the Ipswich supporting the town's bid.

The City of Culture scheme is designed to recognise and celebrate the culture of communities but an applicant does not have to be officially listed as a city, meaning that Ipswich is eligible for a bid that will see it celebrate the culture of the town in four years time.

Ipswich MP Jack Abbott has launched the Ipswich City of Culture bid (Image: Office of Jack Abbott)

Throughout the summer, Mr Abbott has worked alongside creative leaders in Ipswich ahead of a potential bid with support from Ipswich Borough Council.

The Ipswich Conservative Group, which are the official opposition at the council have welcomed the idea but have said that any bid must be about "turning good ideas into real results requires teamwork and delivery, not just headlines".

Councillor Ian Fisher, leader of the Ipswich Conservative Group, said: “We have always championed Ipswich’s heritage and cultural potential. This town has the history, creativity and spirit to stand out, but it needs the leadership and practical commitment to make that happen.

This year, events across Ipswich have brought thousands to the town such as the summer Ed Sheeran concerts (Image: Newsquest)

"We’re pleased to see others finally recognising the importance of culture, something Conservatives in Ipswich have been pushing for years.”

Councillor Sam Murray, deputy leader of the Ipswich Conservative Group, added: “It’s encouraging that Jack Abbott is talking about culture in Ipswich, but actions speak louder than words.

Ipswich Borough councillors Sam Murray and Ian Fisher (Image: Sam Murray)

"His colleagues on the Labour led Borough Council have had countless opportunities to support our plans and have chosen not to. If we want to see real change, we need collaboration, delivery and a shared commitment to putting Ipswich first".

Shayne Pooley, the chair of Ipswich Reform said: "The potential for Ipswich is of the charts, it would attract lots of investors to our county town and surrounding area, with new ventures, venues and more jobs, we have some lovely communities here in Ipswich, the potential is massive and something we could all be proud of for future generations, including a fantastic football club, an amazing waterfront and I believe the next heavyweight boxing champion."

Shayne Pooley, the chair of Ipswich Reform (Image: Ipswich Borough Council)

The City of Culture scheme is designed to recognise and celebrate the culture of communities while contributing to regeneration and cultural participation through a year-long programme.

An applicant does not have to be officially listed as a city, meaning that Ipswich would be eligible for a bid in 2029. 

Ipswich Borough Council and the MP Jack Abbott have been supporters of the project, and Suffolk County Council said that they would back the project if their One Suffolk project was accepted by the Government as the successor to the Local Authorities.