£25 million Town Deal Funding Announced for Ipswich

Published4th March 2021

Yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon the Government confirmed that the Ipswich Town Deal Bid -  that was submitted in December 2020 - will receive £25m of funding that can be spent on 11 projects that will improve our town (see list below).

Ipswich Borough Council is the ‘accountable body’ for the bid and submitted it to Government on behalf of the Ipswich Town Deal Board.

45 Town Deal awards were announced by the Government yesterday - and Ipswich was the 4th highest of the 45.

Council Leader (and Town Deal Board member) Councillor David Ellesmere says:

“I am delighted with this news. £25m was right at the top end of our hopes. It will make a huge difference to the town over the next few years as we invest this money.

“The fact we got one of the highest amounts announced yesterday is a reflection of the high quality of the bid we put together.

“From the feedback we have had from Government, it is clear that our bid was particularly strong in four areas. Firstly, the extent of public engagement we did in putting it together (we got nearly 2,000 replies to the consultation we did last year). Secondly, the strong approach we took to this being a bid from a range of partners and then the clear and strong involvement of a wide range of partners within our Town Deal Board. I am very grateful to everyone who has played a part in this. Thirdly, to the simple Strategy we adopted about our town that was at the core of our bid. And, fourthly, the variety and strength of our individual projects – be they about rejuvenating buildings, providing more greenery, investing in skills, being a great digital location and transforming many of our local shopping parades.

“I’m very proud of the central role the Borough Council has taken on this and am very much looking forward to continuing working with our partners and getting on with delivering all the projects.”

Further information:

Read more about the Ipswich Town Deal Board and its membership.

View the Ipswich Town Deal bid.

The 11 projects that the Government has agreed to fund are:

  • Academy of Yacht Building (Island Site)
  • Creating a Digital Town Centre
  • Former Paul’s Building Silo (@ the Waterfront)
  • Integrated Care Academy (University of Suffolk)
  • Ipswich Oasis (Town Centre Greening)
  • Local Shopping Parades Regeneration Fund
  • Pedestrian / Cycle Bridge (etc.) @ Waterfront
  • Public Realm Improvements (Arras Square etc.)
  • Re-using the Old Post Office (on the Cornhill)
  • Tech Campus and Sustainable Construction Centre 
  • Town Centre Regeneration Fund