Ipswich has officially submitted its expression of interest to the government to become this country's next City of Culture.
The formal bid was submitted on February 8, with businesses, cultural groups and organisations signing up to back Ipswich's bid for the prize.
This is the first official step in the City of Culture journey with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport officially receiving the expression of interest (EOI).
Bryony Hope, executive director at DanceEast, who led the drafting and submission of the EOI, said: "Our submission sets out a confident vision for Ipswich – one that recognises the role that culture can play in supporting inclusive growth and that is driven by young people imagining our town’s future.
“It reflects Ipswich’s character as a place that has continually adapted and reinvented itself, and builds on the strengths and creativity that already exist across our communities, education sector and cultural organisations."
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Who are Ipswich's competitors for the UK City of Culture 2029?
In this first part of the process, large towns, cities and places have submitted their vision and proposed approach and programme to the government to demonstrate their readiness to deliver.
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott said: "Although we have a lot of work ahead of us, I am really proud of how far we have come in such a short space of time.
"It is great to see our town pulling together behind something so positive, with nearly 2,000 people and organisations signing up to #BackTheBid.
"I am ambitious for our future and see this bid as a major regeneration project. By attracting people and investment to Ipswich, it will support our local businesses, make our town centre feel more vibrant, and restore pride."
Ipswich is set to be up against major towns and cities across the UK, including Portsmouth, Bristol, Wrexham, Plymouth and Peterborough.
What's to come?
People are still being asked to go to www.ipswich2029.com to sign up and show their support for the bid.
The longlisted places announced in late March.
Longlisted places will then make their full application from April 2026, with a deadline during the summer.
Shortlisted places are then announced in autumn 2026, with a panel visit also during the autumn.
The winner will then be announced in winter 2026.
The winner will be granted £10million and will become UK City of Culture in 2029.
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