Ipswich Borough Council secures £3M to make former Burton’s building a Waterfront arts and media hub

Published4th August 2020

Another landmark in the successful development of Ipswich Waterfront has been achieved with today’s announcement from government of a £3M grant that will ensure our transformation of these unused buildings. This government funding is a vote of confidence in the way the Borough is taking forward the town and adding another key attraction to this regenerated area.

The funding bid for this ‘shovel-ready’ project was one of those chosen from the many submitted from across Suffolk and Norfolk through the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.    

Councillor David Ellesmere, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said,

"It is great news that government is backing our plans to bring more of the derelict buildings on the Waterfront back into use. This underlines the correctness of our decision to buy these buildings so that we could invest further in Ipswich.

"In January we resolved to grant planning permission for this site to be a new home for the town's renowned Gecko Theatre company and to bring the neighbouring Burtons building back into use. This is all part of our strategy to develop Ipswich Waterfront as a leading location for leisure, work, education and much more.

"The success of our bid for funding from the government's Getting Building fund means we will shortly be talking to partners about how best to develop this area to further promote our historic and beautiful Waterfront as a great place to visit and enjoy."

Issued by the IBC press office (press.office@ipswich.gov.uk).