Why it matters: Brighten The Corners says the event is a chance for local people to have direct input on how the £1.92m transformation project will serve the community, ensuring the iconic venue meets local needs when it becomes a regional creative hub.
The details: The free event will take place on Tuesday, 10 February, between 18:30 and 20:30 at The Church on St Stephen's Lane in Ipswich. Spaces are limited and can be booked in advance through the Brighten The Corners website.
Local businesses, community groups, creative entrepreneurs, freelancers, artists and anyone who thinks they might use the space are invited to attend. Brighten The Corners will be discussing existing plans and encouraging attendees to network and share their thoughts on shaping the Skills Hub offering.
The currently unused first-floor space at The Baths will be transformed into a Creative Digital Skills Lab, including video production, live recording and podcast facilities. A state-of-the-art Extended Reality (XR) studio will provide hands-on experience with immersive digital technologies, nurturing young talent and supporting creative industry professionals.
Plans include upgrades to the existing ground-floor music venue, creating a 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 when the regeneration project is complete, including XR design and filmmaking, post-production and editing, audio recording and digital photography.
What they're saying: Marcus Harris-Noble, Brighten The Corners' newly appointed director of engagement and skills, will host the evening. He said: "By revitalising this iconic space, we're securing a much-needed live music venue and building a sustainable future for creative learning in the town, ensuring The Baths becomes a landmark venue for generations to come.
"Our public event is a chance to come together, share our vision for The Baths, and hear directly from local people. We're keen to hear ideas on how the space could be used, so we can work with other service providers to shape an offer that meets the needs of our community."
For context: With its rich history as St Matthew's swimming baths, social club, gym and pop-up music venue, the regeneration project is set to breathe new life into the much-loved Ipswich landmark. Notable bands including Led Zeppelin, Cream and Rod Stewart performed at the venue in the 1970s.
Marcus Harris-Noble previously led the delivery of the Croydon Creative Enterprise Zone programme and served as a core member of the team who successfully developed Croydon's bid to become the 2023 London Borough of Culture. He also launched the Croydon Creative Digital Lab in south London.
What's next: Construction work is set to begin in late spring 2026, with doors due to open in early spring 2027.
The bottom line: This is your opportunity to help shape what The Baths will offer the community when it reopens as a cutting-edge creative hub, ensuring the historic venue serves local needs for generations to come.
