Why it matters: With past UK City of Culture winners seeing over £1 billion of additional investment, increased jobs and tourism, local leaders are calling the bid "Ipswich's regeneration project" and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the town's economy and communities.
What they're saying: Oliver Rouane-Williams, founder of Ipswich.co.uk, said: "I started Ipswich.co.uk with one simple aspiration: to accelerate the regeneration of Ipswich and make it a place residents are proud to call home, visitors envy and where businesses thrive. For the last 18 months, Ipswich.co.uk has relentlessly championed this town and fought to make that vision a reality.
"It will be a surprise to no one that we are fully behind Ipswich's 2029 City of Culture bid, and that we will be throwing our growing reach and influence behind it.
"I am calling on every resident, business and organisation that cares about this town to sign up to the #BackTheBid campaign, to show their support publicly, and to challenge negativity wherever they encounter it.
"It is, after all, in all of our interests for this town to succeed, and as previous winners have shown, winning City of Culture can be truly transformational.
"Uppa Towen!"
Lee Walker, chief executive of Ipswich Central, said: "Becoming the City of Culture would be transformational, for our economy, for our communities and for how the town is perceived across the UK and internationally. The #BackTheBid campaign is about demonstrating unity and pride, and I urge everyone who cares about Ipswich and the future of the town to get involved."
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott said: "This is Ipswich's regeneration project. It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock investment, jobs and opportunities for the next generation, while also attracting visitors and boosting the local economy. I'm proud to support it and encourage people across Ipswich to back the bid and be part of something truly special."
Mark Ashton, chairman of Ipswich Town FC, said: "As a club we are proud to be supporting Ipswich's bid to become the UK City of Culture. The bid is about celebrating everything that's good about our town and shining a light on the many successes and areas of life which bring us all together, while also using it as a way of showcasing the ambition we all hold for Ipswich. This is an opportunity for everyone to come together and drive further progress for our town and I urge everyone to sign up and play a part."
Alan Pease, principal and chief executive of Suffolk New College, said: "As an anchor institution in Ipswich, Suffolk New College is proud to support the City of Culture bid. We offer a strong creative curriculum and work with young people every day who will shape the future of this town. Supporting this bid is about enhancing opportunities for our learners and helping to promote Ipswich as the desirable and diverse destination it is. Becoming a City of Culture would open doors for our students and strengthen Ipswich's reputation as a place where talent can thrive."
The details: DanceEast is leading the development of Ipswich's Expression of Interest for the 2029 competition. The #BackTheBid campaign aims to demonstrate the strength of local backing, with engagement with young people and widespread public support forming a key part of the final submission.
The UK City of Culture 2029 competition opened on Thursday, 30 October 2025. Expressions of Interest are due on 8th February 2026, with a longlist to be announced in February 2026. Each longlisted bid will receive £60,000 to help develop their full applications.
The shortlist will be announced in summer 2026, followed by panel visits to shortlisted places in September 2026. The winner will be announced in winter 2026. For the first time, there will be a confirmed £10 million cash prize for the winner to help deliver the year-long programme of cultural events and activities throughout 2029.
Ipswich leaders believe the town will be the only bid from the East of England, with Norwich not expected to compete. The town must first reach a shortlist of eight from what could be dozens of applications across the UK.
The bottom line: Anthony Missen, chief executive and creative director of DanceEast, said: "We want this EOI to reflect culture in its widest sense and embrace all the diverse ways people come together to live, play and connect in Ipswich. But to do that, local people - and especially young people - need to be at the heart of shaping our plans. That's why we're asking as many people as possible to sign up and become part of #TeamIpswich2029 and show the world what Ipswich can achieve when we come together."
Back the bid: Sign up to support Ipswich's City of Culture 2029 bid at ipswich2029.com and help demonstrate the strength of local backing for the town's cultural vision and ambition for the future.
