The Baths in Ipswich could become permanent music venue as Sounds East CIC and Brighten The Corners Festival submit plans for historic pool site
A historic former swimming pool site permanently becoming a music venue is the next step in putting Ipswich’s music scene on the map, a festival boss has said.
Sounds East CIC, which runs the Brighten The Corners Festival, has submitted a change of use application to Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) for The Baths, at the corner of St Matthew’s Street and Civic Drive.
The community company has been using the building since September 2021 and has hosted 57 gigs there under a temporary event notice licence.
Chief executive Joe Bailey said the application was the next in a long line of steps to ensure Ipswich has a high quality mid-sized music venue, with a capacity of 300 people.
He said: “We are really pleased to have submitted plans for The Baths after a labour of love, sweat and tears over the last three years.”
If the proposals are approved, the ground floor would remain in use for gigs while also hosting third-party events. A ticket booth would also be built.
The first floor would be used for education and training, with planning documents detailing the firm’s ambitions to add extended reality studios, video production suites, meeting spaces and places to record podcasts.
Sounds East CIC also runs St Stephen’s Church, which was converted into a venue to the tune of £450,000 last year, and The Smokehouse, in South Street.
Before Joe and his team moved in, the building was used as a gym, which it still has planning permission to operate as.
Joe hoped The Baths would help bridge the gap between St Stephen’s Church and larger venues such as the Corn Exchange.
However, Sounds East also hoped it would play a role in establishing Ipswich nationally for touring artists, agents and management.
He said: “We have been running the venue on temporary licences since opening, adding to the local economy, enriching the cultural landscape of the town and without any troubles or noise issues.
“We have already invested heavily in the building including installing new toilet facilities, fire exits, a tour grade quality PA system and lighting rigs.
“The venue has, and will continue to offer, volunteer, skills and employment opportunities throughout the year and we believe will be a game changer for our town.”
Looking to the next five years, Sounds East hoped the venue could become busy on a weekly basis, not only for in-house performances but other events from third-party promoters, including craft fairs, beer festivals and community events.
Joe said the team had high ambitions for the venue and for Ipswich.
Before it shut in 1984, the former swimming baths located at the site hosted a number of iconic bands, including Led Zeppelin in 1971, Rod Stewart and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers featuring Eric Clapton.
He believed it had the history and potential to be a central part of the community once more.
Joe added: “We've been so lucky over the last three years to enable artists such as Yard Act, Electric Six, Grooverider, This Is The Kit, Porridge Radio, BC Camplight and Children Of Zeus to come to Ipswich as well as supporting local and regional artists and offering the chance for them to put on their own shows.”
