Blackpool, Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, and Milton Keynes stand among nine contenders vying for the UK City of Culture 2029 title. The longlist, unveiled by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, also features Portsmouth, Sheffield, Swindon, and Wrexham.
Funding Boost for Bidders
Each finalist secures a £60,000 grant— an increase from the £40,000 offered in the previous competition— to craft comprehensive bids. The victorious city, succeeding Bradford, gains £10 million to host a year-long program of cultural events highlighting local heritage and strengths. Officials plan to name the winner later this year, with the three strongest runner-up bids receiving £125,000 apiece to advance select initiatives.
Official Reactions
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expresses enthusiasm for the proposals: “I look forward to seeing what the nine longlisted places have in store.” She emphasizes equity in opportunities: “For far too long, opportunity has not been shared equally across the country. The UK City of Culture and new UK Town of Culture competitions recognize the enormous contributions made by communities all over the UK who are all part of the story of who we are as a nation.”
Expert Panel’s Vision
An independent advisory panel, led by Sir Phil Redmond—known for his work on Grange Hill, Brookside, and Hollyoaks—selected the shortlist. Sir Phil highlights the transformative potential: “The competition will give each city the chance to use culture as the creative catalyst for change, raising awareness and changing perceptions.”
He points to past successes in Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry, and Bradford, noting their demonstration of “the quality and depth of cultural activity embedded across the UK, as well as the benefits of simply taking part.” Sir Phil adds that the event fosters unity: “The competition brings people together, to talk to each other rather than at each other, sharing commonality and tolerating difference. Above all, allowing places to demonstrate their own pride in their places.”
