Historic Ipswich church to be given new lease of life as music venue
Plans are set to be approved next week
Plans for a historic Ipswich church to get a new lease of life as a music venue and community space are set to be approved next week.
Ipswich Borough Council’s executive will green light a new tenant for the former St Stephen’s Church in Arras Square, formerly the Tourist Information Centre, which closed in 2020.
The space came alive as a music venue over the Sound City weekend in October run by Out Loud Music community interest company, with proposals now for that to be turned into a venue and community space going forward.
Colin Kreidewolf, Ipswich borough councillor who has been helping with the plans, said: “I am really pleased that it is coming together.
“It’s taken extensive negotiation to get to this stage where a proposal for a new tenant of St Stephen’s Church to convert it into a community hub music venue, so it is really pleasing that we have got here.”
The space will operate as an art and cultural community space during the day for collaborative projects, as well as a limited amount of food and drink provision, while in the evenings it will be a full venue for music, comedy and poetry with a functioning bar.
It is likely to have a capacity of around 200-225 people, with hopes that it will be open by the end of the year.
Ipswich Borough Council’s executive has been recommended to agree a new 20-year lease for the Grade II Listed building.
Work to bring the building up to scratch will include provision of toilets and sound proofing – particularly around the stained glass windows, additional electrical supply, re-positioning the font, new heating and preserving or relocating wall-hunt hatchment panels.
It is envisioned that five jobs will be created, 1,000 independent artists supported in the first three years and result in 25,000 additional visits to the church.
The council’s report added: “This option would result in securing a well-respected organisation to the town centre.
“Currently, for bands and entertainers, there are limited
opportunities to perform to audiences of 50-200 persons.
“Therefore, Ipswich is missing the opportunity to attract these performers who will tour to other nearby towns and cities.
“There is an opportunity to work collaboratively with the operator and
other surrounding businesses and organisations to improve this area
and create an active public realm area.
“This proposal will improve the level of interest and footfall in the area, and it is considered it will offer a boost to both the day and night-time economy.”