Progress has been made towards the development of a rehearsal and HQ space for Gecko – an international physical theatre company based in Ipswich.
A report to Ipswich Borough Council’s Executive meeting on September 6, 2022, outlines the progress towards providing a new building for the internationally acclaimed physical theatre company, Gecko.
Ipswich Borough Council and Gecko have been working with the Arts Council to secure funding and support for this project.
Under previous plans, the group were due to move into premises along St Peter’s Dock however, following detailed investigation into this space, the challenges building on this site to the necessary specification is technically difficult to achieve in a cost effective manner and a new location on West End Road has now been provisionally selected.
Currently the space is infrequently used as an overflow coach car park; however the land provides the freedom to create a new purpose-built space with close proximity to both the train station and town centre making it an ideal location for those needing to use the space.
Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, Cllr David Ellesmere, says:
“I am really pleased to be able to report our progress on helping Gecko to secure new premises in Ipswich.
“We have much more to do to bring this to fruition alongside Gecko and the Arts Council but I am glad to see the project progressing.”
Gecko’s Artistic Director, Amit Lahav, says:
“I am thrilled that together with Ipswich Borough Council we have been able to identify a site where we can continue our dream of building a new home for Gecko, and a studio facility in which we can make work of excellence, and a space that we can share with national and international artists and our local community”
The design and planning stages will now commence with regular updates being provided to funders including the Arts Council.
A further report is likely to be considered by the Council on the detail of the proposal in early 2023.
The report (on page 93) that will be considered on 6 September is available here.
Photo – Gecko performance of Kin.
Credit – Richard Haughton
