Sustainability & Energy Innovation
A new heat network project is in development, aiming to use natural heat from the River Gipping to heat buildings across the town, reduce carbon emissions and improve energy security, with the first buildings possibly connected from around 2028.
City of Culture Bid
Ipswich is preparing a major bid to become the UK City of Culture 2029 — a high-profile cultural programme that, if successful, would bring extra investment, tourism and major cultural events to the town.
Culture & Arts Funding
Across Suffolk, community and arts organisations are benefitting from a £500,000 Culture Project Fund supporting creative and community-led activities — including youth arts programmes in Ipswich that fuse dance, film and wellbeing support.
Why Ipswich Might Secretly Be One of England’s Most Creative Towns
We tend to imagine the creative pulse belonging to the bigger cities, like London, Manchester, Birmingham or Bristol. But creativity has a funny habit of growing in the places where no one is looking.
Creative Transformation of a Local Landmark
A £1.92 million Towns Fund investment has been awarded to transform The Baths — a historic building with roots as a swimming baths and social venue — into a creative hub and digital skills lab. Due to open in 2027, it will offer facilities for recording, podcasting, XR and digital media production, as well as workshops and training, especially for young creatives and local artists
Stoke Bridge Area
A £1.92 million Towns Fund investment has been awarded to transform The Baths — a historic building with roots as a swimming baths and social venue — into a creative hub and digital skills lab. Due to open in 2027, it will offer facilities for recording, podcasting, XR and digital media production, as well as workshops and training, especially for young creatives and local artists
Boosting Green Spaces in the Town Centre
A £1.92 million Towns Fund investment has been awarded to transform The Baths — a historic building with roots as a swimming baths and social venue — into a creative hub and digital skills lab. Due to open in 2027, it will offer facilities for recording, podcasting, XR and digital media production, as well as workshops and training, especially for young creatives and local artists.
Council Investment in Local Homes
Ipswich Borough Council has announced a £17 million programme to improve council-owned homes in 2026/27, focusing on safety, energy efficiency and quality improvements — with work creating jobs and apprenticeships for local tradespeople.
Housing & Repurposing Old Sites
A £1.92 million Towns Fund investment has been awarded to transform The Baths — a historic building with roots as a swimming baths and social venue — into a creative hub and digital skills lab. Due to open in 2027, it will offer facilities for recording, podcasting, XR and digital media production, as well as workshops and training, especially for young creatives and local artists.