Ipswich will see a new music venue open in 2022 after funding has been secured to transform a church that has been abandoned for over 40 years.
In 2014, there were calls to renovate St Clements church in Ipswich, made by a community interest company. The plans were initially approved in 2016, but work was halted as there were issues in garnering the adequate funding needed. However, this Wednesday the Ipswich Historic Churches Trust said that the work is due to start in the coming months, after funding for the first phase of work was secured on Wednesday.
The Local Democracy reporting service stated that the trust leases the building from Ipswich Borough Council, from whom they gained planning permission and listed building consent for the building to become a community arts and music centre.Peter Brook, the Trust chairman said that work will begin in November, after Ipswich’s Spill Festival finishes using the space over October; it is expected to be completed by the end of February 2022. It is believed that the funding for the first phase of work, namely the flooring and walls, will result in the Trust being able to attract additional funding for the project.
Mr Brook expressed his joy that the project had been approved, stating that “this is not a one-year project; it will take several years, but it will get done”. The public has witnessed what the space could become, after it hosted the Spill Festival in 2016, bringing multiple musical artists in for the first time in decades. Carol Gant, who directs the centre lauded the venue, saying: "The audience and performers were so impressed by the way the voices echoed around the space. It was a wonderful night”, adding, “after 30 years of disuse it was a great moment for the town.”
Hopefully, the more recent approval will help to edge the venue closer to its goal, and after the public have witnessed the space’s capability, both the church directors and the Ipswich locals cannot wait for the project to be completed. Neighbouring counties Norwich and Colchester have both had arts centres built in renovated churches. Ipswich’s own St Lawrence Church and St Peter’s Church have also been renovated and turned into venues, where art events also run.
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