Readers share mixed views on a potential City of Culture bid for Ipswich led by Jack Abbott. Concerns include the costs involved and town readiness.
City of Culture status boosts community culture. It helps with regeneration and participation. The program runs for a whole year.
Bradford is the 2025 City of Culture winner. They think it will help their economy by £700 million. Ipswich residents have mixed feelings.
Some like Abbott’s idea to bid. They want Ipswich to gain recognition. Others worry about the bid’s cost and they believe the council might spend too much.
One Ipswich reader, Samantha Sherman, supports the bid. She says Ipswich excels in heritage and culture. She mentioned music and green spaces also.
Sherman wants people to welcome visitors. Another reader, Deanette Easton, doubts the town centre’s readiness. She says the town centre impacts any appreciation Ipswich gets.
Laurane Marks thinks Ipswich has potential. However, she feels the town has declined. Marks sees many closed shops downtown also. She wonders if the bid is worth the cost at all.
Abbott discussed an early bid with a culture minister. The Ipswich council will wait before commenting on the bid and they will wait until the process officially begins.
Abbott says Ipswich has an impressive culture scene. He included music, theatre, and even the football club. He thinks Ipswich has much to celebrate.
