The Ipswich 2029 bid team has thanked the town and its partners for an extraordinary campaign and pledged to build on its momentum after learning that Ipswich will not progress to the shortlist for UK City of Culture 2029.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) today named the four places that will go through to the final stage of the competition. Ipswich was one of 17 places to submit an Expression of Interest in February, beating larger places including Bristol to make the longlist of nine in March.

Over the past year the bid has brought together the council, businesses, education, artists, community groups, Ipswich Town FC and communities from every corner of the town. It was backed by internationally renowned Ambassadors including Ed Sheeran, Brian Eno, Nandi Bushell, Griff Rhys Jones and Paul Greengrass. It has forged new partnerships, attracted investment, raised the town’s national profile and brought residents of every age into a summer of events and conversations about culture and the future of Ipswich.

Amy Vaughan, Bid Director for Ipswich 2029, said: “We wanted to go further, but today’s decision does not take away from what Ipswich has achieved. We set out to show what this town can do when it comes together, and that is exactly what happened.

“We have built new partnerships, attracted investment, put Ipswich on the national map and brought conversations about culture into our streets, schools and community centres. This journey has demonstrated the passion, creativity and ambition that exists across the town with thousands of people contributing their ideas, energy and support.

“The bid was always the beginning, not the end. The vision and work behind our 10-year Culture and Heritage Strategy will ensure that culture remains at the heart of Ipswich’s future, creating opportunities for communities, supporting creativity and celebrating everything that makes Ipswich unique.”

The energy and momentum that has been built now carries straight into the delivery of Ipswich’s ten-year Cultural and Heritage strategy. It is owned and led by ‘We Are Ipswich’, an independent collective of the town’s nationally recognised arts and heritage organisations, and was co-created with the sector and partners following a town-wide consultation, with support from Arts Council England.

Douglas Rintoul, Chair of We Are Ipswich and Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the New Wolsey Theatre, said: “The City of Culture bid was always about building on the energy, creativity and ambition already here. There’s a real groundswell in Ipswich, with our cultural organisations, leadership, businesses and communities coming together around what we can achieve for the town. Our new ten-year Culture and Heritage Strategy is evidence of that. It was in the making before we even began thinking about a City of Culture bid, driven by We Are Ipswich on behalf of the town. It sets out how we grow audiences, support our talent to build a future here and make sure culture reaches every part of Ipswich, strengthening our identity, economy and wellbeing.

“The ambition for Ipswich is constant. The bid has brought more people into that shared endeavour and supercharged our energy which will feed into this new strategy. It belongs to the town, and we’re already getting on with making it happen.”

Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “I would like to thank everyone who played a part in the bid. The response from our town has been inspiring and has demonstrated what can be achieved when Ipswich comes together behind a common purpose.

“This process has reinforced our confidence in Ipswich’s future. We have showcased a town with a compelling story, a thriving cultural offer and ambitious plans for the years ahead. We will now build on the foundations created through the bid as we develop and deliver Ipswich’s 10-year Culture and Heritage Strategy.”

Jack Abbott MP, Member of Parliament for Ipswich, said: “This isn’t the result we were hoping for, but I am so proud of our town. This bid has changed how Ipswich sees itself, and the partnerships, aspiration, ideas and the confidence it has built are here to stay. This is not the full stop on my ambition for our town. I will keep fighting for the investment and opportunities our town deserves and working with the people and organisations who want to drive forward the regeneration of Ipswich.”

Lee Walker, chief executive of Ipswich Central said: “Having been part of the team that was successfully longlisted from the initial Expression of Interest in March, I know how much work and dedication has gone into this project. Winning would have fast-tracked the cultural transformation of Ipswich and put Ipswich on a national stage. But that is still the goal, and the connections and partnerships forged throughout this process will endure despite this news, with local businesses, creative leaders and community groups all dedicated to the town’s progress.”

Bryony Hope, Head of Communications and Development at DanceEast said: “Artists, young people and communities have shown a real appetite for a bigger cultural offer in Ipswich and that desire does not disappear with today’s decision. We are proud to have been part of developing the Expression of Interest and backed the bid campaign, and we are fully committed to working with partners to build on the work and momentum that this process has created.”

The spirit of the 2029 bid has been captured in its anthem, ‘Big Up The Bid’, which became the soundtrack to a summer of consultation and campaign events. The track, which grew out of a local youth and community engagement project, was inspired by the history of the town and was written and produced in Ipswich by Ipswich artists.

Voodoo Brown, community champion and co-creator of Big Up The Bid, said: “The buzz that this bid has started isn’t going anywhere. Being part of it showed me there’s more going on for young people in Ipswich than I realised, and they could really do with the support. If those services can keep going and keep growing, I can see a brighter future for the youngsters of this town. It might take longer without the title, but with all the culture we have in Ipswich, I believe we’ll get the recognition we deserve.”

Praise B, community champion and co-creator of Big Up The Bid, said: “Of course I’m disappointed, but it’s not all bad. Working on Big Up The Bid, I’ve realised and learnt so much more about Ipswich, including all the events and community centres we have. We can work together and keep making Ipswich better, one step at a time.”