What is Ipswich.Love?
It’s an independent Community Interest Company (Ipswich.love CIC), a not-for-profit organisation and movement, run by a team of proud Ipswich folk who want to celebrate everything about our amazing town, people, diversity, culture, and creativity.
What is its purpose?
We’re people who want to shout about all the great stuff that happens across the Town. We’re not just about the town centre or the Waterfront – we’re about every single area that makes up Ipswich and outskirts.
Think of us as the Ipswichian Civic Pride Superfans! We’re the antidote to naysayers who often dominate local news and social media channels with their negative takes on our town.
Who are we?
A team of people who all love living, working and running our businesses in Ipswich. Some of us grew up here, others are glad to have moved here.
Each team member brings different business skills and life experiences. Unusually, there is no hierarchy in our team because every person’s contribution is equally valid.
We may have different lived experiences and opinions, but we are pulling together to get things done for the good of the town.
There is no hidden agenda. We’re individuals who want to promote good things that we know happen in every corner of Ipswich.
Ipswich.Love CIC is not part of any profit-making organisation, political Party or faith group.
Is Ipswich.Love a news outlet or a newspaper?
No. It’s a community but we have an online presence too.
We run this website and our socials, we attend events in Ipswich, and collaborate with other like-minded local organisations producing Ipswich-positive outcomes.
Our website houses events from commercial, community and charity organisations alike, showcasing the breadth and depth of activities across the Town.
We encourage resident and visitors alike to get involved by writing us love letters to the Town and submitting blog articles on any Ipswich-related subject. Give it a go!
When did Ipswich.Love launch?
We launched as a CIC in December 2023. In our first year we have advertised over 1700 individual events on our website, and attended over 150 meetings and local events to help our users really understand the depth and breadth of activity in Ipswich.
Our website has taken well over a million page views during this time too.
We continue to network and meet with many businesses, inviting them to get on board and join this positive and supportive community.
Isn’t it duplicating the work of other “place marketing” organisations?
No. We aren’t paid to promote the town centre and Waterfront businesses (which means we’re not at the mercy of levy payers and larger retailers). We’re interested in supporting people, communities, and businesses in every neighbourhood.
How is the organisation funded?
Currently, the majority of daily expenses are covered by voluntary effort and with donations from the team members and their own networks.
In 2024, we successfully applied for small grants from Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council to help us further develop our website.
