Community Groups in and around Stowmarket are being encouraged to come forward and express any interest they may have in a possible new Creative Community Centre for the town.

Mid Suffolk District Council is working in partnership with Stowmarket Town Council and various other community groups to investigate the possibility of a new Creative Community Centre, which will have amenities to promote all forms of art within the local area.

John Spitzer, Community Safety Officer at Mid Suffolk District Council said: “We really want to hear from community groups and individuals who feel they may be able to benefit from this possible new centre.  We want the facility to be used by various clubs and groups from across the area. If we get enough support for the new centre, we can then take the proposal forward and begin work to deliver this new centre for the local community.”

The Stowmarket Creativity Centre, a multi-agency initiative for the whole community, will be designed to meet the needs of local art in all forms. The Creativity Centre will be a crucial point of contact for those who have an interest in music, performing arts and visual arts. The Centre will provide a venue for artists to come together in a positive environment and perform, create and learn. The centre would also be available for hire for private, corporate and community functions.

It is intended that the facility will be located at the Corn Exchange, a building close to the town centre, which is owned by Stowmarket Town Council. Daniel Harvey, Public Services Manager at Stowmarket Town Council said, “The Town Council are very keen for the building to be made available for the community and this proposal seems like a great opportunity. We will be doing all we can to help make it become a reality. We are very conscious of the fact that other proposed ventures at the Corn Exchange have not materialized for one reason or another. We don’t want to raise expectation levels at such an early stage but it is an exciting idea, which would be a great boost to the centre of Stowmarket. The Corn Exchange has great character which makes it an ideal venue for arts based activities.”

Anyone who would like to express an interest in the centre and find out more is asked to contact John Spitzer, Community Safety Officer at Mid Suffolk District Council on 01449 724646.

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Media contact:

Vicky Smy, Senior Communications Officer, telephone: 01449 724850, email: vicky.smy@midsuffolk.gov.uk