John Peel, our namesake, lived locally, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential broadcasters in British music. The John Peel Centre is not just about a building with John’s name on it, the family have been hands on with the planning and developing the whole idea right from the start.
The Stowmarket Corn Hall, which incorporated the building in Church Walk and the Grade 11 listed building at 11 Market Place, was built in 1835 at a cost of £3,000, raised in £25 shares. It housed the town’s Assembly Rooms and was used for agricultural trading on market days, public meetings, concerts and travelling theatrical performances.
Following its various incarnations as an exhibition hall, cinema, and pool hall, an ambitious renovation project began in 2009. The team behind the project, many of whom remain dedicated JPC volunteers and Board members, gave their time, skills and energy, restoring a somewhat decaying historic building and bringing it back to life in three phases between November 2010 and February 2013. With endless local support and generous funding, the JPC established itself as a popular community space, fuelling the ethos that arts should be accessible for all.
The JPC is now embarking on a second ambitious renovation project as we seek to reunite the two buildings (Church Walk and 11 Market Place), to create a multi-space, multi-use community live music venue in the centre of Stowmarket. Investment will allow for the sensitive and sustainable renovation, restoration, and modernisation of 11 Market Place and re-open access through to the existing John Peel Centre venue at Church Walk. With plans now drawn up, we look forward to creating a landmark community asset for the town.
