David Ruffley MP has pledged his support for the proposal to convert the old Stowmarket Corn Exchange in Church Walk into a Creativity Centre.

The proposed new centre will be a community facility, primarily aimed at young people, which will provide aspiring young artists- musicians, actors, painters, dancers- with a place to go to rehearse, create, perform and learn. It will also be available for hire for other community, corporate and private functions.

Mid Suffolk District Council and Stowmarket Town Council are working with community groups to determine if this project is viable and they welcome ideas about the Centre's design and usage.

The response from the local community so far has been extremely encouraging with arts, dance, drama and youth music clubs all expressing an interest in getting involved.

The project is being championed initially by Mid Suffolk District Council Community Safety and any groups or individuals wishing to express an interest should contact John Spitzer, Community Safety Officer, on 01449 724646 or email .

David said:

'I am delighted to support this exciting proposal to convert Stowmarket Corn Exchange into a twenty first century Creativity Centre which I believe will be a great asset to Stowmarket.

'Funding will need to be secured for the project to go ahead and I will be supporting funding applications to organisations such as the Lottery and the Arts Council.

'The regeneration of Stowmarket is an issue I wholeheartedly support- and I am also keen to see redundant heritage buildings put to new uses that benefit the community. Stowmarket Corn Exchange with its town centre location offers huge potential.

'I really do encourage local groups and individuals who are interested in the Creativity Centre project to get in touch with John Spitzer or attend one of the open days at the Corn Exchange which are taking place on September 17 and 19 (10am to 6pm) and October 23 (5pm to 9pm). I intend to go along to one of the open days myself so I can see what is planned for the new Creativity Centre.'