Blackpool aims to boost culture with UK City of Culture 2029 longlist nod
Blackpool takes key step in competition for cultural recognition and funding
Blackpool has been named among nine places longlisted for the title of UK City of Culture 2029.
The announcement was made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and is part of efforts to celebrate and enhance cultural life across the UK.
Being longlisted means Blackpool will receive £60,000 to develop a full application for the next stage of the competition.
The winner will benefit from significant investment, tourism growth, and the creation of jobs, potentially totaling millions of pounds.
Benefits of the UK City of Culture Title
Winning the title of UK City of Culture can have enormous benefits for selected areas.
Past hosts like Derry-Londonderry, Hull, and Coventry have seen increased cultural participation, economic growth, and pride in their communities.
In addition to the prize money, each shortlisted bid winner could receive £125,000 to pursue cultural initiatives.
Blackpool's Cultural Offer
Blackpool has celebrated numerous cultural events, including a recent festival of circus and magic.
Looking forward, the town will host works from artists like Claude Monet, alongside literary great William Shakespeare.
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said:
“Blackpool is bursting with culture and variety.
We’ve just celebrated a week-long festival of circus and magic and are looking forward to welcoming the works of both Claude Monet and William Shakespeare in March - all of which is complemented by our year-round celebration of the art and culture of today and tomorrow.
Our diverse culture and entertainment offer means Blackpool has something for everybody, from all age groups and backgrounds.
Being named as the City of Culture 2029 would showcase the talent and creativity that we already have on our doorstep, making all our residents proud of our bold, vibrant and cultural town.
To top it all off, 2029 would mark the 150th anniversary of one of Britain’s first and most loved mass arts displays – the Blackpool Illuminations.”
Longlist Panel
The longlist was recommended by an independent expert advisory panel, led by Sir Phil Redmond and supported by Deputy Chair Claire McColgan.
Panel members include representatives from across the UK, showcasing a wide range of expertise.
Sir Phil Redmond, Chair of the City of Culture Expert Advisory Panel, said: “Once again, the UK City of Culture competition is providing bidders the opportunity to both demonstrate and experience a focused year, using culture as the creative catalyst for change, raising awareness and changing perceptions. Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and more recently Bradford, have all demonstrated the quality and depth of cultural activity embedded across the UK, as well as the benefits of simply taking part.
“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.
“It is for these reasons that the new UK Town of Culture competition has been launched, to share the opportunities as wide as possible, with Expressions of Interest (EOI) due by the 31st March.”