Ed Ngai is one of the directors of Community Hub Ipswich, which has been open in the town centre for nearly a year. With the team on the lookout for more local traders to sell their products, he explains all the ways people can get involved with the community space
How and why did you get involved with Community Hub Ipswich – otherwise known as CHip – and when did it launch?
CHIp was born out of the closure of La Tour Cafe back at the end of 2019. There was a large community meeting that really laid out what Ipswich needed and that would be a community space that was flexible for multiple uses. A few others and I stepped forward to develop this idea of a community space and CHIp CIC was the result. The reason why I got involved was because I wanted to see a creative space in Ipswich, where artists and creatives can come together and meet up.
What has the Community Hub been offering over the past few months?
CHIp has been fantastic for local traders to sell their products: we have a resident florist, we have jewellery, crystals, cute crafts and wonderful abstract art. We have free books which have been a collaboration with Global Education Trust; and regular weekly events, from craft mornings, mending tables, writing groups, painting socials, drumming circles to film clubs, which are all free to attend and no booking required.
What is your personal relationship with the town? What is it about Ipswich that you love?
Ipswich is my home. I love the creativity and the humbleness of this town, quietly doing our own thing without needing to boast about it all the time. My grandfather came over here from Hong Kong back in the 70’s. He was a massive football fan and Ipswich Town was his team. That affection he had for this town rubbed off on me and I want to see Ipswich thrive. If I can contribute a part to making that happen, then I feel like it would’ve made him extremely proud.
How can townspeople get involved with, and support, CHIp?
Come in and talk to us. We are currently at 47 St. Nicholas Street, in the town centre of Ipswich. We have fabulous volunteers keeping the hub open and we welcome anybody to volunteer with us. Anyone who’d like to trade in CHIp or hire it out, send us a message, email or meet us, we are open to any ideas.
What are the plans for CHIp?
We plan on turning more empty commercial spaces into community hubs in the town centre. We want to host more events and give people more reasons to come to the town centre.
CHIp – Community Hub Ipswich can be found 47 St. Nicholas Street, Ipswich, IP1 1TW. Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm. Visit chipcic.co.uk. CHIp is looking for new traders to sell their products. If you have items you would like to sell at CHIp, DM the team on Instagram or email hello@chipcic.co.uk. The newest trader at CHIp is Ginsui Knits. Every two weeks, the Film Club get together to discuss a film they have watched – the next Saturday Film Club discussion will be on Captain Fantastic, February 25, at 2pm.
Featured image of Ed Ngai, by John Ferguson
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