Unsuccessful City of Culture teams ‘not disappointed’

Unsuccessful UK City of Culture contenders plan to pursue their ambitions regardless as the shortlist for 2025 is revealed.

Four places – Bradford, Southampton, County Durham and Wrexham – have been selected to continue in the competition on the strength of bids submitted in January.

They now have two months to impress a panel of judges with their plans to use culture to strengthen their local economy and community before a winner is chosen late in May.

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Those vying for the title believe it could create up to 2,500 jobs in their creative industries and attract hundreds of millions of pounds, mostly through tourism.

But those who missed out say they are "definitely not disheartened", recognising the process of bidding and a £40,000 grant given to a longlist of eight places has acted as a springboard for culture.

Derby has already signalled it will try again in 2029. "We’ve built a foundation for the future and I’m very proud of Derby for getting this far in such a short space of time," Council Leader Chris Poulter said.

"There is no reason for us to be disappointed today."

Sir Phil Redmond, Chair of the City of Culture Expert Advisory Panel, said the contest has historically improved community engagement, civic pride, and economic growth among not only its winners, but also those bidders that further develop their cultural strategies: "Simply taking part has proved a catalyst in itself."

"We have had a great longlist to select from, which made the shortlisting difficult, but I am now looking forward to visiting each of the shortlisted places with the panel to witness culture’s catalytic effect in action."

Onward and upward

Longlisted applicants who missed out this time around say they will stay the course despite their disappointment.

Cornwall's cultural sector will still receive £1m from its Local Enterprise Partnership for a planned investment programme. "There is a real opportunity to build on the work we have done and continue to use culture to celebrate all that makes Cornwall great, challenge perceptions and grow our economy," Chief Executive Glenn Caplin-Grey said.

Derby, which pulled together its bid in a matter of weeks, says it is now time to reflect on that journey. It says culture was central to the city's regeneration plans long before it registered its interest.

"This process has never been just about winning a competition. It’s been about recognising the role of culture in making our city a vibrant place to live and work," Bid Director Adam Buss said.

Stirling too said that "today is not the end". Kevin Harrison, Manager of Scene Stirling, which represents the city’s arts and cultural partners, said they are committed to building on a sense of optimism about culture's regenerative value following the pandemic.

"Now we have the road map to get us there."

Armagh, Bainbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has pledged to keep arts and culture "firmly in the spotlight" and secure investment to carry out the "vision" behind its eco-minded bid through new partnerships.

Flying the flag

The shortlisted applicants' success is "a real tribute to the quality of creativity on display" in their areas, Arts Minister Stephen Parkinson commented.

Arts Council of Wales Chair Phil George said Wrexham, the sole shortlisted candidate outside of England, has "long been a key part of the north Wales cultural landscape", opening its award-winning cultural centre Tŷ Pawb in 2018. Welsh Secretary Simon Hart said the bid "has done a brilliant job of flying the flag for Wales".

Ian Bancroft, Chief Executive of Wrexham Council, added: “It’s heart-warming to see how our community has really come together in support of this bid.

Southampton's Bid Director Claire Whitaker said the process brought together thousands of people, while Council Leader Daniel Fitzhenry said its selection recognised "a tremendous amount of hard work which has gained real momentum over the last two years".

"We have learnt so much more about our city and place together – the needs, the opportunities and the way in which we can bring about transformation the city and region needs to reach its full potential."

Bradford has likewise built its bid over several years. It aims to represent Yorkshire and show how culture can drive investment towards a place in high need of levelling up.

"Progressive social reform has been a consistent theme for the district’s development for many decades," University of Bradford Professor Udy Archibong said.

"Culturally we couldn’t be richer and it’s time for us to show the rest of the world what makes this young, diverse place so special."

Durham, one of the later entrants to the competition, said its bid aims to make it an attractive place to work, live and visit – "all of which are crucial for levelling up".

"I think it is our ambition, and our tradition of coming together to achieve something incredible, that really set us apart," Durham County Council Leader Amanda Hopgood said.

"This is truly a bid for the whole county and the impact it can have on our businesses, on our residents, I honestly think there is no limit to it."