New Leiston mayor sets sights on town centre regeneration

Wednesday, 26 August 2026 14:05

Leiston-cum-Sizewell's new mayor says seeing the regeneration of the town centre become a reality is her biggest ambition.

Councillor Nicky Corbett was born in Leiston and attended schools in the town before raising her three sons there with her husband Richard.

Her career in marketing and communications included roles with the Aldeburgh Foundation, Suffolk Coastal District Council and EDF Energy. She has now been retired for eight years.

Cllr Corbett says the planned regeneration of Leiston town centre is at the top of her personal priorities.

She says the town has changed considerably since her childhood, when its shopping centre was supported by the job security provided by Garretts.

She wants the future town centre to offer more than shopping, with places for people to meet friends and family, entertainment, safe spaces for young families and better accessibility for older people and those with mobility issues.

Cllr Corbett also welcomed the planned Suffolk New College on the Coast, due to open in September 2027 with funding from Sizewell C, but says the loss of Leiston's sixth form remains one of her biggest regrets.

She says the town has a unique identity and rich social history which she wants to see preserved as Leiston develops.

“Leiston deserves to see sweeping improvements and the town centre Masterplan could deliver those changes.”