Announcing Our Sustainability Journey
By JPC team
Friday 10th April 2026
We’re excited to share that the John Peel Centre has begun developing a sustainability strategy to guide how we reduce our environmental impact and strengthen our contribution to a more sustainable music sector.
As a venue rooted in community and creativity, we recognise both the responsibility and the opportunity we have to lead by example. This work will explore practical ways to reduce our carbon footprint, minimise waste, and embed more sustainable practices across our events, operations, and partnerships.
Importantly, this isn’t just about environmental impact. We’re also looking at how we can support a more inclusive, resilient, and future-facing music ecosystem—working with artists, audiences, and partners to drive positive change.
Over the coming months, we’ll be engaging stakeholders, gathering insights, and identifying priority actions. We look forward to sharing updates as the strategy develops.
This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to take this step together.
An Interview with Ross Harding
By JPC team
Wednesday 25th February 2026
Ross Harding's gig at the John Peel Centre is fast coming up, and our Events Manager reached out with a few questions to get to know him better:
How long have you been playing guitar?
I started when I was 11, so it’s been over 20 years now. It feels strange saying it like that, but the guitar has been part of my life for most of it.
What made you fall in love with Blues Rock music?
Bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath had the blues running through their foundations. I grew up on that sound and still love it. The blues as an artform carries endless expression. It rewards honesty. If you mean what you play, people feel it. There is a deep resonance that people feel if you have that conviction. in your playing.
What has been a highlight of your music career so far?
I’ve played strong venues and great crowds, but moving to the UK and building something here stands out. Performing around the country over the past two years is something I once thought was out of reach. Being able to do it still means a lot.
What’s your favourite song to perform?
At the moment, it’s London Blues. It’s become a tribute to the UK and the welcome I’ve received. There’s a weight behind it live. The audience connection feels earned.
Listening to The Blood & The Blues, what’s your favourite song and why?
On The Blood & The Blues, I’d probably choose Black Rose. It carries a certain weight and atmosphere, but it's restrained. It's one the songs I'm most proud to have written.
What’s been your most popular song?
From a numbers point of view, Fire Away has performed the strongest. Black Rose has picked up a different kind of recognition within the industry. Both have opened doors in their own way.
Why are grassroots music venues important to you?
They’re the foundation of a growing music career. That’s where artists learn their craft, build real audiences and develop momentum. Without grassroots venues, there’s no ecosystem for live music to grow.
We chose Ross for his truly impressive guitar skills, gritty take on blues, and the intimate feel he creates at gigs. We hope you can join us on Saturday for a powerful performance from Ross Harding and his band.
John Peel Centre wins Songs Behind The Music - Venue of The Year Award 2025!
By JPC team
Monday 9th February 2026
The John Peel Centre for Creative Arts (JPC), a volunteer-led live music and arts venue in Stowmarket, Suffolk, has taken a coveted award voted for by music lovers and live music audiences. Nominated alongside a host of high-profile venues around the country, the JPC won the ‘Venue of the Year Award 2025’, testament to its great programming, community vibe, and loyal audiences.
Bobby Dolphin, Venue Manager says: “We are all incredibly proud to have won the Songs Behind The Music Venue of the Year award, being nominated alongside so many other fantastic venues makes this honour even more special. Our staff and volunteers have worked so hard and everyone has played their part in making our venue a special place to visit. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for us, we are truly astonished by the support we have received and look forward to continuing to deliver great live music and events in 2026!
See all category winners here.
Celebrating 50 Years of Punk at the John Peel Centre
By Nick Jepson
Friday 30th January 2026
The John Peel Centre is excited to be celebrating 50 years of Punk with a 5-day lineup between the 9th-14th of June. All the artists participating played John Peel sessions at the time punk rock was exploding on to the scene.
The week kicks off with the opening of an art exhibition curated by Gaye Black (The Adverts) which will run for the duration of the week in The Ballroom, accessed through the B-Side cafe (free entry). This will feature works from Gaye, Charlie Harper (UK Subs), Youth (Killing Joke), Nick Cash (999), Monty Oxymoron (The Damned), Pauline Murray (Penetration), Sam Dobson, Helen McCookerybook (The Chefs) and Gina Birch (The Raincoats).
Gaye will then take the stage with Helen McCookerybook to talk about her time in The Adverts, before the screening of a Stories from The She Punks, a film directed by Helen and Gina Birch. It features accounts from pioneering women musicians and their experiences from the 1970s and 80s.
Wednesday night features punk rock legend Charlie Harper in conversation with Helen about his band, UK Subs, and his critically acclaimed book, ‘An Anarchy of Demons’. Following this, both Helen and Charlie will play solo sets.
Thursday is an evening dedicated to emerging punk bands, further details coming soon!
Friday sees an inspired double headline night, with Tom Robinson and TV Smith (The Adverts) both playing solo sets. It is the first time both Tom and TV have played the venue, and it promises to be a fantastic night from two artists whose careers extend long beyond the heady nights of 1976/77.
The fabulous Undertones close the music element of the festival on the Saturday night. Their association with John Peel is well documented and we are delighted that, yet again, they have offered their support to the venue.
Our week of celebration closes on the Sunday with a punk themed record and clothes fair, being held in the main hall.
See you there!
New Opportunity for Young Creatives
Wednesday 7th January 2026
Are you a young creative looking to build a career in the music industry?
In partnership with Suffolk County Council, the JPC is launching the Young Creatives Programme, offering 20 fully-funded places for musicians, songwriters, producers, independent creators, and self-starters in music aged 18-30.
It will take place over the course of six months, offering monthly talks, Q&As, and workshops from industry experts that will develop skills in all areas across the board. One of the main features of this course will be creating a collaborative environment that we hope will carry forward after the six months is over, so we will provide access to a regular co-working space and work to connect fellow artists.
For more information, email ycp@johnpeelcentre.co.uk
JPC Redevelopment Gets The Green Light
Thursday 25th September
We are delighted to share that on 24th September, the Mid Suffolk District Council Planning Committee gave unanimous approval for the John Peel Centre's £1.3 million expansion in Stowmarket. This is a big step forward for us!
Reconnecting the Old NatWest Bank at 11 Market Place with the JPC venue in Church Walk, our plans include the refurbishment of a magnificent first-floor Ballroom with lift access, a basement recording studio, and a new town centre entrance. The expansion will ultimately allow us to deliver more events and bring even more music and arts to the centre of Stowmarket.
With £615,000 recently awarded from the Stowmarket Town Gateway 14 Fund, we are now actively seeking further funds and donations to make this long-term dream a reality. Thanks to everyone for your support so far!
Glyn Johns: The Exhibition continues in Richmond
Friday 5th September
After a fantastic launch at the John Peel Centre, the Glyn Johns Exhibition is now on tour, and its next stop is Books on the Rise in Richmond!
Told through the stories of 25 key albums which define the legendary producers career working with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and many more, this exhibition will take place in the gallery space of the bookshop, Book on the Rise in Richmond, and will run from September 4th-October 16th.
This tour is being brought to Richmond by the John Peel Centre in partnership with The Loom Creative Networks. We’re delighted to see it continue its journey and inspire new audiences.
Attitude is Everything Bronze Award
Thursday 4th September
The John Peel Centre for Creative Arts is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive environment for all visitors, artists, staff, and volunteers. In 2025, we strengthened this commitment by joining the Attitude is Everything Live Events Access Charter. The Charter serves as a framework to support and promote inclusive practices, building disability equality into all aspects of business. It brings together industry professionals who share the goal of making live events accessible to everyone. Becoming a Bronze awardee marks the first step in our ongoing commitment to greater inclusivity at the JPC. By working and training with Attitude is Everything, a disability-led organisation, we underline our long-term commitment to removing barriers and making accessibility a core value in everything we do.
FOMO Fest
Monday 1st September
Wow, what an incredible day for Stowmarket!
On Saturday, over 2,000 music lovers came together to celebrate the joy of live music. It was amazing to see; the community spirit was great, and we couldn’t be prouder to have been part of it.
A huge thank you to FOMO Fest for inviting us to take part, and an even bigger thank you to everyone who came out to support it. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!
We’ll be back next year with a bigger stage and more incredible bands, so be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, 5th September 2026.
We look forward to returning to the beautiful Food Museum grounds!
Photos by @photodolly.photos
Welcome to the other side of the JPC!
Monday 25th August
We are excited to announce the launch of The B Side Bar & Bistro, a new night-time music, bar and bistro under the roof of the John Peel Centre (JPC), in Stowmarket at 11 Market Place. Chocolate Tiger Cafe by day, The JPC B Side Bar & Bistro is an intimate, indoor/outdoor evening space with curated tunes, great local beers and wines, and an inspired list of signature cocktails with a nod to famous vinyl B Sides.
Unexpected and relaxed, the Bistro side of things is just getting off the ground. Come, stay for the evening and drink good beer and wine, or if you have booked tickets for a gig, pop in for a pre-gig bite (food served 6pm-9pm), or a late night tipple before making your way back home.
Opening times:
6pm - 11.30pm Friday
6pm - 11.30pm Saturday
Food available 6pm-9pm Friday and Saturday.
