New national Town of Culture competition announced

The contribution of towns across the country will be celebrated through a new UK Town of Culture competition.

The UK Town of Culture competition will be targeted at small and medium sized towns, enabling them to tell their unique story and shining a spotlight on the important role that towns play in our national life. The winning town will be awarded £3.5 million to help them deliver a cultural programme during the summer of 2028, harnessing what makes their town special. Shortlisted towns will receive £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition. 

Applications for the competition will be judged on three main criteria:

• Your story – the unique story of the town
• Culture for everyone – how the town will design a cultural programme for all 
• Making it happen –  how the town will then deliver a successful programme  

In Stockport, the town is still reaping the benefits of its tenure as Greater Manchester Town of Culture in 2023-24, which concluded with more a weekend of more than 50 events on 23 and 24 March 2024. In the following years, a programme of activities has continued, boosted by the opening of new cultural hub and library, Stockroom, and this year’s centenary exhibitions at the town’s War Memorial Art Gallery.

Explaining the launch of the new national Town of Culture competition, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

“We already know from UK City of Culture that winning, and even bidding for, these titles brings real benefits – jobs, investment, and opportunities for people to get creative and learn new skills. Now I want towns to be able to get these benefits too and that is why I am proud to launch the UK Town of Culture competition. 

“Every place has a story worth telling so I want to encourage towns across the UK to step forward and show us what makes them special.”

Chair of the UK City of Culture independent expert advisory panel, Sir Phil Redmond said:

“The UK City of Culture competition is a huge prize and one well worth bidding for as witnessed by the positive impact the year has had on Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and already now in Bradford.

“It is great therefore, that the new Town of Culture competition will allow more places to experience the catalytic effect that culture can deliver, while raising awareness both internally and externally across the UK. That in turn brings increased visitors, a greater sense of local pride and a deeper understanding of what binds our four nations together.”

Separately, the UK City of Culture 2029 competition has gone live with expressions of interest able to be submitted, from cities, large towns, regions and groupings of places across the UK invited to apply.

For the first time ever, there will be a confirmed cash prize of £10 million for the UK City of Culture winner to help cities deliver a show-stopping year of rich cultural activity rooted in their unique identities and drawing on local strengths and stories.