Venue receives £1.92m funding to establish creative digital lab

The Baths in Ipswich, a historic building once functioning as a swimming pool and later transformed into a music venue, has received 1.92 million to establish a creative digital lab on its first floor. The venue, managed by Brighten the Corners (BTC), has hosted live performances for years, including iconic bands like Led Zeppelin.

The funding from Ipswich Borough Council will allow BTC to convert the currently unused upper floor into spaces for video production, live music recording, and podcast creation. Joe Bailey, CEO of BTC, emphasized that the Civic Drive site will offer long-term benefits to the local community.

As part of the project, BTC plans to introduce an advanced extended reality (XR) studio, enabling visitors and artists to experience immersive digital technologies. Construction is scheduled to begin in late spring next year, with the facility expected to open in spring 2027. The councils contribution comes from the Towns Fund and will also support upgrades to the existing ground-floor music space.

Our goal is to nurture and connect the next generation of creative talent while collaborating closely with local communities and businesses, Bailey said.

Neil MacDonald, Labour leader of Ipswich Borough Council, commented that the renovation will revitalize the venue and expressed pride in supporting the initiative. He added that the project will provide entertainment opportunities and equip local residents with essential digital skills.

The Baths originally functioned as a swimming pool, but in the 1960s and 1970s it hosted concerts by placing boards over the pool area. The pool closed in the 1980s and the building was converted into a two-storey structure, with the upper floor most recently serving as a gym. The venue reopened for live music in 2021, and BTC obtained permission last year to operate it full time.

The venue has been a key part of the Brighten the Corners festival series, which began in 2019. Although the festival will take a break in 2026, BTC continues to manage other local venues including The Church and Smokehouse. The first-floor redevelopment will be a major addition to the venues offerings.

Author: Aiden Foster