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.

Analysis of the Recent Funding for Ipswich's Historic Baths Venue

The recent announcement that Ipswich's historic Baths building will receive £1.92 million in funding marks an exciting new chapter for both the venue and the local community. The money, provided by Ipswich Borough Council through the Towns Fund, will enable Brighten the Corners (BTC) to transform the currently unused upper floor into a "creative digital lab." This lab will offer a combination of video production, live music recording, and podcast creation facilities, which will significantly expand the venue's scope and creative capabilities.

The Baths, which once served as a swimming pool and later hosted live music performances, has long been a key cultural asset in Ipswich. With a rich history, including performances by legendary bands such as Led Zeppelin, its transformation into a space that fosters digital creativity and immersive experiences is a fitting progression. The planned extended reality (XR) studio, in particular, positions the venue at the forefront of digital innovation, offering local artists and visitors the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technology.

Joe Bailey, CEO of BTC, has emphasized the long-term benefits the development will bring to the local community, focusing on the nurturing of creative talent. The addition of this facility is more than just an upgrade; it's a step towards integrating digital skills into Ipswich’s cultural infrastructure, creating a hub for both artistic expression and technological innovation. In addition, the ground-floor space will be upgraded, ensuring that the venue remains a premier destination for live performances.

The construction of the new spaces will begin in late spring 2026, with the venue's revamped facilities set to open by spring 2027. This timeline suggests that the Baths will continue to be a central player in Ipswich's creative scene for years to come. With the planned introduction of the XR studio, it is clear that the venue will not only continue to provide entertainment but will also equip local residents with valuable digital skills—another key point made by Neil MacDonald, Labour leader of Ipswich Borough Council, who expressed his pride in supporting this project.

While the venue will take a brief break from its Brighten the Corners festival series in 2026, the redevelopment of the first floor represents a major leap forward in the venue’s ability to serve both the local community and creative industries at large. The Baths' evolution from a swimming pool to a live music venue and now to a digital creative lab shows the dynamic nature of this iconic site, ensuring its place in Ipswich's future cultural landscape.

Sources:

• Venue given £1.92m to open creative digital lab