Ipswich MP Jack Abbott has fired the starting gun on an ambitious Ipswich City of Culture bid, describing it as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to show the country what Ipswich is made of.” The UK City of Culture 2029 competition officially opened this week, and Abbott has confirmed that he wants his town to be in the running for the prestigious title.
The UK City of Culture scheme is designed to celebrate the creativity and character of places across the country, with previous winners including Derry, Hull and Coventry. Bradford holds the 2025 title, and the next competition will be the first to include a £10 million prize fund to help the winning location deliver cultural events and activities. Ipswich is eligible to apply despite not being officially designated as a city, as the competition is open to any UK local area outside Greater London.
Abbott said the bid could help transform Ipswich’s future. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to show the country what Ipswich is made of,” he said. “A City of Culture bid will attract more visitors, investment and new jobs, while supporting and celebrating the local artists, venues and organisations that make our town special. It’s about boosting opportunities, ambition, and pride too.”
He continued, “Our town has so much talent. This competition gives us the chance to show that to the whole country, and I’m determined to make sure our story is heard. I am proud of Ipswich, and that is why I am firing the starting gun on our City of Culture bid. Join me and help build a new future for our town!”
The Ipswich City of Culture bid comes at a time when the government is encouraging towns and cities to use culture-led regeneration to drive investment and civic pride. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which runs the scheme, has said the competition builds on the success of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008. That event brought lasting social and economic benefits to the city, inspiring the creation of the UK City of Culture programme in 2013.
Abbott has already begun discussions with local leaders about what a successful bid could mean for Ipswich, and further meetings are planned in the coming weeks. The process will see all longlisted areas receive £60,000 to support their applications, while three shortlisted contenders that do not win the title will each be awarded £125,000 to take forward elements of their proposals.
For Abbott, the campaign is about more than culture alone. He believes an Ipswich City of Culture bid can unite the community and create opportunities that last far beyond the competition itself. If successful, Ipswich could join the growing list of places that have used the title to spark investment, celebrate creativity, and redefine their identity on a national stage.
