Ipswich Town have said they support Ipswich MP Jack Abbott's bid for the town to become the UK City of Culture in 2029.
An event was held on Friday, November 28 at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich to bring together leading figures across Ipswich's cultural, business and community sectors to take the next major steps towards the UK City of Culture bid.
Among those in attendance was Ipswich Town CEO and chairman, Mark Ashton, who said: "As a club we are excited to be supporting Ipswich’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2029.
“We are incredibly proud to be able to represent the town and Suffolk and see that responsibility as an important one, with this opportunity to highlight everything that is good about Ipswich, something we can all fully get behind."
The club will work closely with Mr Abbott, as well as Ipswich Borough Council, Ipswich Central and arts and cultural organisations in the town, with the winning town receiving £10m from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to deliver on the programme and its legacy.
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Mr Abbott, said: "This bid is a catalyst for reviving our town centre, bringing in investment, jobs and pride back to our town.
"Through all the events we are hosting, new visitors will come and spend money in our local hotels, restaurants, pubs, bars and shops.
"This isn’t simply a culture bid for 2029 – this is Ipswich’s regeneration project for the next half a decade and beyond.”
Ipswich Borough Council leader Neil MacDonald said: "A City of Culture bid could be transformative for Ipswich, not just in attracting visitors and regenerating venues, but in how we think about ourselves."
Stephen Skeet of Volunteering Matters highlighted the impact on young people.
He said: "The event was energising. Ipswich’s young people don’t lack aspiration, they lack a narrative that tells them this is a great place to be. City of Culture can give them that sense of belonging and belief in their future here."
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