Ipswich could be left with "a lasting legacy of social, cultural, and economic change" if its bid for to become the next City of Culture in 2029 is successful.
The scheme has been supported by local creative leaders, Ipswich MP Jack Abbott and businesses and the town could see millions of pounds of investment were it to win the competition in Spring of next year.
The City of Culture was started in 2009 by the UK Government as a result of the investment and funding received by Liverpool when it became the European Capital of Culture the year before.
Successful applicants, Derry/Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford have seen regeneration and investment through a celebration of their respective history, culture and tourism.
Prior to the 2025 edition, only cities were available to put a case forward, but this criteria was changed allowing Ipswich to put together an expression of interest for the next edition in 2029.
Eight of these expression of interests will be chosen for the longlist, before being whittled down to a final four.
Ipswich has already put forth their expression of interest, with Portsmouth announcing their bid in November.
No area from the East of England has been successful in their bid to become a City of Culture, with Norwich coming the closest in the first edition of the competition in 2013.
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Ipswich will receive £60,000 if it is moved onto the eight-place longlist of applicants, £150,000 if it selected for the four-place shortlist and £10million if the bid is chosen above any other applicant.
It would keep the title of City of Culture for the whole year, but the Government says "the benefits for places extend well beyond their title year, leading to a lasting legacy of social, cultural, and economic change."
Last week, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter announced she would back a bid for Felixstowe to become the next Town of Culture in 2028, a similar competition but with less investment to the winning applicant.
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