Plans approved for former Ipswich church to become café and live music venue
The grade two listed St Stephen’s Church was once the town's tourist information centre
Last updated 22nd Sep 2022
A former Ipswich church is to be turned into a live music venue with capacity for 220 people, despite concerns around the protection of historically important monuments.
Grade two-listed St Stephen’s Church on St Stephen’s Lane will become a café hosting live music performances, after Ipswich Borough Council’s planning and development committee approved an application made by the council itself.
Labour councillor Stephen Connelly said: “I cannot think of anything more appropriate than people celebrating music at a venue that was originally built to gather people together.”
The fifteenth-century church building was a tourist information centre between 1993 and 2020, and since then it has not been used. Before 1993, it was a site for performances, exhibitions and fairs.
According to the report considered by the committee, the rejuvenated building will be a ‘culture-led café and co-working space to support creators and artists’, employing two full-time and ten part-time staff members.
Alterations to the building would include the installation of a bar, toilets, CCTV, entrance lobby and a new doorway.
Liberal Democrat councillor Oliver Holmes said: “I recognise there are concerns about the use of this building, but I do feel these are outweighed by the benefits.
“I think having this site as a music venue will make sure the building does not fall into further disrepair.”
While the council’s conservation officer and Heritage England did not object to the proposal, they brought up issues around the John Leman memorial – which Heritage England described as significant and important. This monument will be near the stage, which will be free-standing, and be protected by an acrylic case.
Sir John Leman was a Beccles tradesman, who went on to become Lord Mayor of London.
Today’s decision was agreed on by all but two councillors – Conservatives Sam Murray and Bob Hall, who believed the plans were inappropriate for the church building.
Cllr Murray said: “Is it necessary to use the building in an inappropriate way, just to get it filled?
“The fact that the stage is free-standing should indicate this is inappropriate.
“I’m also not reassured that the noise levels will be managed.”
Cllr Murray expressed her “wholehearted” agreement with the Ipswich Society, a spokesperson of which stated their concerns at the meeting.
A representative for the society said: “This building has been listed since 1951, and it is within an area of archaeological importance.
“Ipswich Borough Council has a history of converting this church without damaging the internal and external fabric of the building, as is planned here – with excavation for the drains, and changes such as the installation of a new door and CCTV.
“The protection of the heritage assets also concerns us.”
Consultations with Ipswich Borough Council’s Environmental Protection team returned no objections – as did those with Suffolk County Council’s Archaeology team, Suffolk Fire and Rescue and Suffolk Constabulary.
Worries about potential noise problems were expressed by the Conservative Club next door to the building, and those living in the flats above the club.
Today’s vote covered both permission for alterations and listed building consent for the changed use of the building.
The prospective tenant is a local organisation that provides creative opportunities for young people. The organisation also owns a small studio west of the town centre, called The Smokehouse.