Ipswich kicks off summer engagement to shape City of Culture bid

A summer of engagement begins this week (5 July 2026) with people across the town and beyond invited to share their ideas, views and stories to help shape the town’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.

Since last year, people across Ipswich have been contributing ideas, time, expertise and support to this bid to bring it to life. Earlier this year, the town’s initial proposal was submitted to the Government and, in March, Ipswich was named one of just nine longlisted places in the national competition. Now the bid team wants to hear from the people who know the town best to help shape the full bid submission, due to be submitted to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 10 August.

There are two ways for everyone to get involved:

1. Share your ideas online. The campaign website www.ipswich2029.com has a new ‘Get Involved’ section where anyone can send their ideas directly to the bid team in just a few minutes.

2. Drop in to a roadshow. A series of in-person creative roadshow events, suitable for all ages, will be popping up in community venues across Ipswich, from community centres to libraries, giving people the chance to share their ideas, thoughts and feedback face to face.

Alongside the public programme, the bid’s local creative producers will be working directly with specific communities and groups across the town, including young people, schools, businesses and community organisations.

Amy Vaughan, Bid Director for Ipswich 2029, said: “The bid belongs to everyone in Ipswich and that means it has to be shaped by the people who live, work and grow up here. “Whether you send us your ideas online in two minutes, fill out one of the more detailed questionnaires or drop in to a roadshow this summer, your views will make a real difference to what we put in front of the judges. The more voices, the stronger the bid.”

A shortlist of four places will be announced in the autumn, with each shortlisted place receiving £125,000 to develop its plans further. The winner will be announced later this year.

To get involved, visit www.ipswich2029.com and support the campaign using #BackTheBid. Press enquiries should be directed to Helen Oldfield of Affinity PR Ltd, email: helen@affinitypr.co.uk or call 07974 502847.

Images used with this article show: Bid Director Amy Vaughan (credit: Simply C Photography) and the Ipswich City of Culture BID 2029 logo.