Town centre fund could hit the bullseye with new darts venue

A community darts venue could be the first new venture to take flight in Stowmarket thanks to a Mid Suffolk District Council initiative to enhance the town centre.

 The new attraction, including a darts retail area, would come at a time when the sport is booming.

Mid Suffolk District Council’s cabinet will decide on August 5 whether to award £125,000 in match funding from its £1.5 million Stowmarket Town Centre Gateway Fund, launched last year to bring empty high street units back into use.

If agreed, the plan is for the venue to be set up in the former Stannards store, in Tavern Street.

The council’s cabinet will also be asked to invest £615,000 from the Stowmarket Town Centre Gateway Fund into the John Peel Centre, contributing towards a major restoration and expansion project.

It would support the arts and cultural venue to sensitively restore the first-floor ballroom with lift access, providing a  100-capacity space for mixed community use, including catering facilities.

There would also be a café/music bar developed on the ground floor, providing access to the entire venue from the high street and market square.

Richard Winch, the council’s cabinet member for Housing and Property, said: “We launched this fund because it presented a fantastic opportunity to do something new and stimulate investment in the town centre. We are now seeing the benefits.

“If the funding is approved, the community and youth darts centre would be a genuinely new and exciting attraction to the town centre.

“And, if agreed, the funding for the John Peel Centre would help it further expand what is already a brilliant cultural offering in the heart of Stowmarket.”

The Stowmarket Town Centre Gateway Fund opened for its first round of applications late last year.

Subject to cabinet approval the fund will remain open for bids between the end of July and the earliest of all funds being allocated and December 2026.

A number of bids were received which were evaluated by technical and stakeholder panels, with successful bids brought forward. Those which required further work could potentially come forward in future or may be able to apply for alternative funds.

Councillor Winch added: “It is important that bids bring something new to the town centre, rather than competing with what is already there.

“All town centres face challenges, including from the huge growth in online shopping, and are having to reinvent themselves – and this fund wants to help address that. We’re pleased with the response so far, and look forward to receiving bids for the remaining available funds between now and December 2026.”

Mid Suffolk has worked alongside key partners such as Stowmarket Town Council, private sector owners, businesses and potential occupiers on the project.

As well as aiming to bring under-utilised properties back into use, it is also supporting potential occupiers to find a location – opening the door for new businesses, pop-ups and other ventures looking to launch their first store or space.

The Gateway Fund has been made possible thanks to the council’s income from its investment in the Gateway 14 business, innovation and logistics park on the edge of the town.