Ipswich Building Preservation Trust
 
BACKGROUND
Ipswich Building Preservation Trust was established by Ipswich Borough Council in 1977 with the help of a long-term interest-free loan. The Trust is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Its aim is to act as a "repairer of last resort" in renovating problem, dilapidated buildings within the Borough that might otherwise not be repaired.
 
Over the last more than thirty years, the Trust’s activities in concert with action by Ipswich Borough Council’s Conservation Service has seen the problem of ‘at-risk’ historic buildings fall dramatically; but the Trust continues to regularly review buildings on the Listed Buildings-at-Risk Register and also considers other potential projects. Renovation of historic buildings can sometimes be hindered because owners have unrealistic expectations of the market value of properties that fall into an increasingly deteriorating or dilapidated and condition.
 
IBPT operates on a "revolving fund" basis, primarily by purchasing and renovating buildings and then reselling them in their enhanced state to recoup the funding. This is then used for further projects. The Trust's Board of Management are all volunteers who provide a wide range of unpaid professional expertise. In addition there is representation on the Board of Councillors and Officers of Ipswich Borough Council.
 
The Trust holds its Committee meetings at Pykenham's Gatehouse, a building it restored and opens to the public on a regular basis [click on separate web page].
 
There are now nearly 300 such BPTs operating throughout the United Kingdom and these are members of the Association of Preservation Trusts which acts as an umbrella organisation to offer advice and share expertise among trusts.
 
BPTs are able to take advantage of special financial assistance offered by the Architectural Heritage Fund (established in 1975 specifically to help such Trusts) and where eligible, the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage.  
 
Restoration projects undertaken In Ipswich by the Trust have included:
  1.         The former Half Moon & Star PH, St Matthews Street
  2.         Brett House, 163 Woodbridge Road
  3.         Beecholme, Woodbridge Road
  4.         Pykenham's Gatehouse, Northgate Street
  5.         Globe Inn, St Georges Street
  6.         2 Arthur's Terrace, off Woodbridge Road
  7.         The Wrestlers, 40-42 Bolton Lane
  8.         45-47 St Nicholas Street & 1 Silent Street,