Entrepreneurs and businesses across a broad range of sectors from port logistics and food to clothing retail and law have lent their weight to Ipswich's City of Culture 2029 bid.
The town faces a nail-biting few weeks as it waits to hear if it will make the shortlist of four contenders which get to refine their proposals with a £125k grant.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is due to announced the shortlist from the bids - submitted on August 10 - some time in the autumn with the ultimate winner due to be announced later in the year.
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Making the nine-strong longlist has already had impact - with businesses feeling a sense of optimism at the enthusiasm it has unleashed.
Mark Hubert - owner of James St Peter’s men's outfitters in the town's St Peter's Street - says the bid has galvanised a growing sense of purpose in the town.
"In many respects, Ipswich has already won through this process," he says.
"The bid has helped us recognise the extraordinary amount already happening across the town, while giving us greater confidence and ambition about what Ipswich could become.
"For local businesses, this is an opportunity not simply to support a cultural bid, but to play a part in the future of the town."
The enthusiasm is underlined by a sell-out event organised by the University of Suffolk taking place tomorrow (Wednesday, September 9).
Town leaders will be discussing how to bring Ipswich's "place brand” to life and connect with organisations who share the same ambition for Ipswich as the City of Culture bid.
Steve Flory, owner of the Hudson Group - a signage and display manufacturing firm at Needham Market - says he is "proud" to back Ipswich 2029.
"Ipswich has a huge amount to celebrate, its people, creativity, heritage, businesses and growing cultural scene," says the businessman, who is also chairman of Ipswich Central, the Business Improvement District (BID) for Ipswich town centre.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase everything that makes Ipswich special and create a lasting legacy for the town.
"As a business that's proud to be part of the local community, we're backing the bid and looking forward to seeing where this journey takes us."
Dairy farmer Jonny Crickmore owns Bungay-based Fen Farm Dairy which makes Baron Bigod cheese and is chairman of the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival which kicks off in Snape later this month. He is also a big supporter.
“Suffolk is fantastically creative county, and we're delighted to back the bid for Ipswich to become the City of Culture 2029," he says.
"Our rich food and drink scene is just one of the reasons we're in the running - and we hope Ipswich makes it all the way to the top.”
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Rich Wood owner of Ipswich full-service creative agency Cheddar Creative said he believes the town "deserves" a place on the shortlist "because it has the ambition, talent and community energy to deliver a truly memorable year of culture, and to leave a lasting legacy for the town and the wider region".
"Ipswich is a town with a remarkable creative spirit, a rich heritage and an exciting future, with culture playing a vital role in bringing people together and driving positive change."
Two law firms - Ellisons and Attwells - are also supportive.
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Ellisons partner Bethan Williams says culture plays an important role in attracting talent, supporting regeneration and strengthening local economies.
"Ipswich's UK City of Culture 2029 bid showcases the town's creativity, diversity and ambition, while highlighting the significant opportunities that culture can unlock for businesses, residents and visitors," she says.
"The scale of collaboration behind this bid has been remarkable and we are proud to support an initiative that has the potential to raise Ipswich's profile nationally and create a lasting legacy for the town and the wider Suffolk region."
Attwells - which has its head office in the town - says it wants to encourage young people into law and is "proud" to be part of Ipswich helping people with their legal needs.
Barnes Construction joint managing director Mark Hart says his business - which is set on the River Orwell in the oldest part of the town - believes strongly in supporting the community it calls home.
"We are proud to back the City of Culture 2029 bid and see it as a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our heritage, encourage civic pride, and create a lasting positive impact for the town and its future generations," he says.
Lucy Lea, managing director of shared housing firm LEA Property Solutions Ltd says her business is proud to back the bid.
"For nearly 22 years, we've been building and supporting communities across Ipswich — from the house shares we manage with local landlords, to the professionals and students who call them home," she says.
"Property has never just been about bricks and mortar for us, it's about people and belonging.
"Ipswich has always had that community spirit, and City of Culture 2029 is a chance to show the rest of the country what we already know."
Andrew Thompson, regional director at insurance brokers Alan Boswell Group says winning the status would bring "significant benefits, helping to attract investment, increase tourism, and support the town's continued growth".
"We believe this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase everything Ipswich has to offer.
Paul Ager, divisional port manager at Associated British Ports (ABP) points out that the town's port has been part of its story for generations.
"We can see first-hand how its rich maritime heritage continues to shape its identity today.
"Ipswich has long been a gateway for trade and commerce, with the port playing a vital role in supporting regional and national supply chains, including as the UK's leading exporter of agricultural products.
"We believe the City of Culture bid is an opportunity to showcase the town's unique character, ambition and heritage to a national audience, helping to raise its profile, attract new visitors and investment, and create lasting benefits for the local economy."
Other supporters include Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Thetford accountants Knights Lowe.
The bid organisers encouraging more local businesses and organisations to pledge support here: Ipswich 2029: City of Culture Bid Survey
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