Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield, and Wrexham Vie for UK City of Culture 2029
Four locations have been shortlisted to become the UK's next City of Culture, with the winner to be announced in May.
Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield, and Wrexham are the four locations that have been shortlisted to be the UK's City of Culture in 2029.
The winning location will be announced in May and will be the fifth holder of the title. A different location is awarded the City of Culture title every four years. Each shortlisted city will receive at least £125,000 from the government to further develop their bid.
The eventual winner will receive £10 million to fund a year of cultural events and activities, drawing on the area's unique strengths and stories. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated that the shortlisted cities "have shown the pride that exists in their places with the incredible culture on their doorsteps."
Three of the contenders are in England and one is in Wales. They were selected from an initial longlist of nine bids, which also included Inverness, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, and Swindon.
Blackpool
Blackpool is known for its iconic Blackpool Tower, Pleasure Beach, and the annual Illuminations. It also hosts a major dance festival and an annual visit from the television show "Strictly Come Dancing." The Showtown museum chronicles Blackpool's history as a hub for showbiz and comedy.
Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, expressed enthusiasm, saying, "Blackpool has been entertaining people for generations, and now we have the chance to show the country exactly what our town is made of." She added that Blackpool is a town with "proud, working-class culture that has always been about bringing people together, having fun and making something happen."
Milton Keynes
Constructed in the 1960s and 1970s, Milton Keynes is recognized for its US-style grid road system and numerous roundabouts. It is home to Bletchley Park, the historic World War II codebreaking center, now a museum, and the National Bowl, an amphitheater that has hosted performances by artists like Oasis, Queen, and David Bowie.
Milton Keynes' bid described the city as "a place where innovation, diversity and creativity thrive side by side." Councillor Jane Carr, leader of Milton Keynes City Council, noted, "We're now on the cusp of the 60th anniversary of our founding and have so much to look forward to."
Sheffield
Historically a center for steel and cutlery manufacturing, Sheffield has since gained recognition for musical exports such as the Arctic Monkeys and Pulp. It also hosts an annual documentary film festival and is home to the Crucible, a prominent theater.
The city's bid highlighted Sheffield's "world-renowned creative heritage, as well as our ambitious future plans." Councillor Fran Belbin, leader of the city council, stated, "Sheffield is a city built on creativity, innovation and community spirit... Culture is part of who we are."
Wrexham
This North Wales city, a former industrial powerhouse, recently gained international attention when its historic football club, Wrexham AFC, was acquired by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The bid from Wrexham, styled as Wrecsam2029, stated, "Our ambition is simple but bold: to make Wrexham the world's most playful place."
Joanna Knight OBE, chair of the Wrexham bid, commented on the significance of becoming the "first Welsh UK City of Culture," noting the "enormous" opportunities it could bring.
