Renovated church to reopen as music venue

A deconsecrated medieval church in the centre of Ipswich has been transformed into a new music venue.

Work on St Stephen's Church, owned by Ipswich Borough Council, started in December.

The Grade II-listed building on Arras Square will host live music events as well as being a community space during the day.

It is one of five venues around the town that will host music festival Brighten the Corners on Friday and Saturday.

The renovation project has included the creation of a stage, a cafe and bar area and new flooring.

New toilets have also been installed, as well as sound equipment and soundproofing systems.

More emergency exits allows the venue to host up to 225 people.

The work was funded by a £300,000 grant from the Suffolk Inclusive Growth Investment Fund (SIGIF) and an additional £150,000 from the local council.

Joe Bailey, director of Sounds East CIC, the non-profit organisation which has a lease on the venue, hoped the repurposed church would have a "creative community feel".

"It lends itself, as a building, to congregation, communion, music and enjoyment, and that will continue for many years to come," he added.

Mr Bailey said inspiration came from similar locations like Norwich Arts Centre and Colchester Arts Centre.

St Stephen's Church will host part of Sounds East CIC's multi-venue music festival Brighten the Corners, formerly known as Sound City Ipswich.

The other four locations are the Smokehouse, the Baths, the Corn Exchange and a free outdoor stage on the Cornhill.

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