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Community hub in empty shop marks third birthday

Jon Wright
BBC News, Suffolk
Reporting fromIpswich
Jon Wright/BBC Suzanne Chung, Ed Ngai and Chris Turland stand smiling, with book shelves and art work behind them.Jon Wright/BBC
CHIp directors, Suzanne Chung, Ed Ngai and Chris Turland are all volunteers trying to create a space for people to connect

A community arts project set up in an empty town centre shop is celebrating its third birthday.

Community Hub Ipswich (CHIp) took over the historic Curson Lodge on St Nicholas St in March 2022.

It provides space for artists to sell their work, along with events such as writers' groups, a climate cafe, youth council and film club.

Director Ed Ngai said: "Anyone can walk through the door and be part of this community and that's what's exciting about it."

Jon Wright/BBC The outside of Curson lodge, a Tudor building with white plastic and wood on the second floor, and a glass windows with art work on the group floor.Jon Wright/BBC
The 15th Century Grade II* listed building was built in 1480

The 15th Century Grade II* listed building has previously been used as a retail space but had been vacant during the pandemic.

The group, which has since become a community interest company, initially expected to be based there for just a few months.

Mr Ngai said: "When we came in, it wasn't in a terrible state, but it wasn't getting any better.

"Just by us occupying this place, we've kept the lights on, we have kept the heating on, the property itself adds value with people in it."

CHIp A woman sat a stool playing a guitar and singing. the stage is surrounded by decorations.CHIp
Glitter Your Mama performing at the CHIp Studio for the new acoustic nights event

Suzanne Chung started volunteering at CHIp when she returned to Ipswich from studying in London and has since become a director.

She said: "I got involved because I was trying to find a sense of community.

"We all know about the negative reputation Ipswich has, that nothing's going on... then I found this place and realised that was just a myth.

"There are hidden gems within this town that are thriving and this is something to be very proud of in Ipswich."

Last year the group also took over 16 Turret Lane, now branded as the CHIp Studio, a co-working creative space.

Jon Wright/BBC Matthew Applegate, with headphones round his neck, sits at a table inside a room, with art displays in the window behind himJon Wright/BBC
Matthew Applegate produces chip-tune music as Pixelh8 and attends the writers group at the CHIp Hub

CHIp Hub regular Matthew Applegate said: "This is a wonderful community space for people to share their work, sell their work and there's different groups here.

"I come here for the writers' group on Wednesday, which is fantastic and allows me to set aside some time to do some writing and have it critiqued by other local writers.

"To me this is a really wonderful, generous, kind place."

There is a birthday celebration event on Sunday, 16 March at the CHIp Hub from 12:00 to 1600 GMT, open to everyone, with people encouraged to bring food to share.

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