£1.92m Towns Fund investment will transform The Baths into Creative Powerhouse for Ipswich
A major regeneration project, delivered by Brighten The Corners, in partnership with Ipswich Borough Council and supported by the Ipswich Vision and Town Deal Board is announced today.
A £1.92m Ipswich Towns Fund grant has been awarded by Ipswich Borough Council to Brighten The Corners to enable another unused town centre space to be brought into beneficial use.
With its rich history as St Mathews swimming baths, social club, gym, and pop-up music venue, the project is set to breathe new life into the much-loved Ipswich landmark, now known as The Baths.
The currently unused first-floor space at The Baths will be transformed into a cutting-edge Creative Digital Skills Lab, which will include video production, live recording, and podcast facilities. With an official launch planned for 2027, local businesses, creative entrepreneurs and community groups will have access to a variety of courses, workshops, training, and business development support on their doorstep.
A state-of-the-art Extended Reality (XR) studio will also provide valuable hands-on experience with immersive digital technologies, nurturing young talent and supporting creative industry professionals. With only one other publicly accessible XR studio of its kind in the UK, the Lab’s unique facilities will attract national attention, positioning Ipswich as a vibrant hub for innovation.
Construction plans include much-needed upgrades to the existing ground-floor music venue, creating an even stronger platform for local and touring artists and boosting the town’s night-time economy.
A full range of workshops, skills development and volunteering opportunities will be available to access when the regeneration project is complete, including XR design and film making, post-production and editing, audio recording and digital photography.
The refurbishment of The Baths will provide new full-time jobs and freelance work opportunities. The wider town centre economy will benefit from increased footfall, dwell time and spend from the additional numbers of mainly young people brought to the area, many of which will travel across the town centre from public transport hubs at Tower Ramparts and the Old Cattle Market.
Joe Bailey, CEO at Brighten The Corners said: "We’re beyond delighted to have been awarded this game changing Towns Fund grant from Ipswich Borough Council. Our town has so many incredible cultural organisations, innovative businesses, community groups and talented young people that are doing amazing work and we hope they will all benefit from this space. Our ambition is to help connect and inspire the next generation of creative talent, and we intend to work closely with communities and businesses to ensure this happens.
“So many people we speak to have fond memories of The Baths, from swimming there in their youth to seeing legendary acts like Led Zeppelin back in the 70s. It’s fantastic to be able to bring this iconic site back to life as a cultural and creative hub that will benefit the town for decades to come.”
Chair of Ipswich Vision and Town Deal Board, David Ralph, said: “This is exactly what Ipswich Vision is all about – forward-thinking and focusing on how the town will transform in the coming months and years. We already know what a great place Ipswich is, and this project will ensure the next generation can put down roots, achieve more and enjoy being part of shaping the area for their lives ahead.”
Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader for Ipswich Borough Council, said: "The transformation of The Baths will breathe new life into this venue, representing a significant cultural and economic investment in Ipswich. This project will not only provide fantastic entertainment opportunities but also equip local people with the digital skills needed for the future. We are proud to support an initiative that strengthens our town’s vibrant cultural identity and offers real career pathways for young people."
Jack Abbott MP said: “This is such exciting news for Ipswich – the town already has a great range of destinations for live music, attracting people from neighbouring towns and cities, but I’m especially pleased to see something which focuses on young people too, supporting a brighter future for them and creating better chances of local jobs, and enhancing Ipswich’s cultural offer at the same time. This will help pave the way to success in our bid for Ipswich as a City of Culture.”
Alongside targeted focus groups across the town over the coming months, Brighten The Corners will be running a community drop-in event early next year, for local people to find out more about the team’s exciting plans. Construction work is set to begin in late Spring 2026, with doors due to open in early Spring 2027.
To keep up to date with The Baths progress and news, visit: https://www.brightenthecorners.co.uk/the-baths-regeneration-project
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Notes to editors:
Towns Fund
The Towns Fund is a scheme launched by the Government for towns such as Ipswich to boost economic productivity and support sustainable growth. This is through investments in urban regeneration, digital and physical connectivity, skills, heritage and enterprise infrastructure. Ipswich was awarded £25m of funding in 2021 to give an economic boost to the town.
Brighten The Corners (BTC): BTC is a not-for-profit youth-focussed live music organisation set up by the team at Out Loud Music CIC. Alongside operating three full-time venues, Brighten The Corners is also the name of the annual town centre festival in Ipswich and promotes gigs by independent and emerging artists and musicians. With over 80 volunteers, BTC also runs training and volunteering projects for young people looking to gain event production experience. For more information, visit: https://www.brightenthecorners.co.uk/.
The Baths: Originally serving as a community swimming baths, The Baths has evolved over the years, transitioning into a social club, gym, and eventually a pop-up music venue in 2021, when BTC took over the venue. Previously used as a space for community gatherings, television productions and live music performances in the 70s, notable bands include Led Zeppelin, Cream and Rod Stewart.
The Baths regeneration project will serve as both a cultural and economic driver, offering:
- A Creative Digital Skills Lab, providing accessible education and training.
- A vibrant live music venue, enhancing Ipswich’s night-time economy.
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A network of cultural opportunities, linking with other BTC venues such as The Smokehouse and St Stephen’s Church.
Glossary of Terms: An (Extended Reality) XR studio is a creative space that focuses on extended reality (XR) technologies, which is an umbrella term covering virtual reality (augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR).