Thrive Ipswich Business Festival 2026 launch party

Ipswich Central, the business improvement district for the town, and Ipswich Borough Council hosted a one-day conference to launch Thrive Ipswich Business Festival 2026.

Lee Walker, CEO of Ipswich Central, led the day at Ipswich Town Football Club’s Sir Bobby Robson suite. Around 65 delegates heard from a panel of experts ‒ Kath Cockshaw for history and heritage, Andy Martin of Suffolk Police about community safety, Joe Bailey about live music and the arts, and Simon Bristow about sport and fan culture with the importance of ITFC and its fans to the town. Four smaller breakout sessions discussed these topics as interactive sessions..

Kath Cockshaw, Director of the Thomas Wolsey 550 project in Ipswich. (Image: Simon Lee Photography)

Rev Mervyn Dye, St Peter?s Stoke Park with Ipswich Cllr John Cook. (Image: Simon Lee Photography)

Lee Walker, Kath Cockshaw, Andrew Martin, Joe Bailey and Simon Bristow. (Image: Simon Lee Photography)

Tim and Wendy Hodgeson of What Associates. (Image: Simon Lee Photography)

Jess Lawlor from Suffolk Constabulary. (Image: Simon Lee Photography)

Graham Lambert, Chair of the Ipswich Society with Cllr Cathy Cook, owner of Love Ipswich (Image: Simon Lee Photography)

Simon Bristow and friend participating in the Sports Culture breakout session. (Image: Simon Lee Photography)

History and Heritage panel member Paulette McAlistair. (Image: Simon Lee Photography)

Attendees in the Sir Bobby Robson Suite at Ipswich Town Football Club. (Image: Simon Lee Photography)