Owners of The Live Lounge in Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, discuss venue plans ahead of summer opening

A town’s nightlife is set for a boost as the owners of a new music venue hope to open their doors to the community this summer.

The Live Lounge in Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, is the latest project from business partners and friends Chris Collins, 42, and Aaron Overson, 42, who will run the venue alongside their partners, Nicole Watkins and Jen Overson.

Mr Collins said he spotted the empty M&Co shop and with experience in the industry, as he and Ms Watkins run Suffolk Event Catering & Bars, he felt it was the perfect next step.

“The nightlife in Stowmarket has somewhat diminished in the last 10 years or so,” he said. “So we’re really keen to get it back on track and make the town a real go-to destination.

“We said from the start — if we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it properly — so no expenses have been spared to give Stowmarket something that it desperately needs.

“There’s still plenty to do, but we’re all really excited to get going with everything now.”

With plans to open this summer, the venue aims to bring more live music to Stowmarket to provide a platform for local artists to perform.

Beyond music, the team is committed to making the space as inclusive and accessible as possible, with plans for events aimed at different age groups, a dog-friendly policy and a focus on sustainability.

Mr Overson, who owns Floor Dimensions in Stowmarket, said: “We just want to serve Stowmarket as best as we can — if people tell us what they want, we want to make it happen.

“The big thing we want to let everyone know is that we are really going to be community focused with this.”

With this community focus, the team plans to work with nearby residents to ensure the venue meets noise restriction policies — including the installation of soundproofing panels.

While The Live Lounge works through the licensing approval process, Mr Collins said the venue will have a distinctive steampunk-inspired aesthetic which is a style similar to venues like Edmundo Lounge in Bury St Edmunds.

Once the venue is fully renovated and open to the public, future plans include expanding the business to make use of the upstairs space.

For further information on The Live Lounge and to keep up to date with announcements, you can follow the Facebook page by clicking here.

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