Why it matters: Ipswich Borough Council has awarded a £1.14m grant to bring the former Oasis Lounge site on Ipswich Waterfront back into use after it stood empty for over two years.
The details: Charity 4YP will operate the new youth hub, with the grant covering acquisition costs, refurbishment and fit-out works. The building has been vacant since Oasis Lounge closed in January 2023, and before that housed Anytime Fitness until August 2019.
Young people worked directly with world-renowned architects Make to design the interior spaces. "The latest designs for the interior of the Ipswich Waterfront property are the result of a youth-led initiative, with young people at the heart of every stage of the project's development," said Rebekah Warnock, 4YP chief executive.
The hub will provide counselling services, one-to-one youth work, open access drop-ins and tailored small groups for children and young people aged 7-25.
The bigger picture: The building is the second property brought back into use through the Town Centre Regeneration Fund strand of the Towns Fund programme, following the council's acquisition of the former Grimwades building earlier this year.
Secured in 2021, the £10.5m Town Centre Regeneration Fund was positioned as the primary vehicle for transformational change following Covid-19. However, until today's announcement, the council had spent only £1.3m, with eight months remaining until the March 2026 deadline.
The fund was designed to tackle underutilised buildings, deteriorating shop frontages, and high vacancy rates through grants and council-led acquisitions.
What they're saying: Rebekah Warnock, 4YP chief executive, said: "Our vision has always been that all young people have somewhere safe to go, something positive to do and someone trusted to connect with. The new funding will allow us to expand our services, reach more young people and create a truly welcoming environment for everyone who walks through our doors."
David Ralph, chair of the Ipswich Vision Board, said: "Bringing this highly visible building back into use helps to create more footfall from young people who will bring more spend between the Waterfront, our bus stations to the north and the college and university to the east."
Council leader Neil MacDonald added: "This investment from the Towns Fund demonstrates the Council's commitment to regenerating Ipswich and bringing buildings back into use in a way that benefits the town."
The bottom line: The youth hub represents a tangible example of regeneration funding creating community benefits whilst addressing the challenge of bringing vacant town centre buildings back into productive use.
