Burnley to bid for UK Town of Culture 2028
The town aims to secure funding to boost its cultural profile and tackle inequality
The competition, launched by the government earlier this week, offers towns across the country the chance to secure a £3 million funding pot to support a year-long cultural programme. Burnley Council has confirmed its intention to bid, aligning the initiative with its broader goal of using culture to address inequality.
With its own Year of Culture already planned for 2027, the council sees the new title as a natural opportunity to amplify its efforts on a national stage.
Cultural ambitions
Burnley Council's Executive member for housing, health and culture, Cllr Jack Launer, spoke about the potential benefits for the town.
“Culture already plays a huge role in the life of Burnley, driven by our communities, artists and grassroots organisations,” Cllr Launer said.
He cited examples like Bradford’s upcoming stint as UK City of Culture in 2025 and the national spotlight brought by the Turner Prize as evidence of how cultural recognition can transform a location’s identity and outlook.
“I’d like to see us creating joy and attracting people to visit through a mixture of innovative performances and local collaborations," he added. "Central to our vision is using culture as a tool to tackle inequality, helping put a dent in long-standing deprivation by widening opportunity, improving wellbeing and building pride in place.”
If successful, Burnley’s bid would allow it to further support its creative community and strengthen its cultural infrastructure, aiming to make the town "an incredible place to be a musician, creative artist or producer."
Charlotte Steels, head of culture at Burnley Leisure and Culture, echoed this ambition, stating: “Burnley is ambitious about its future, and that’s why we’re keen to explore an application to become the UK’s first Town of Culture in 2028.”
She described Burnley 2027 Year of Culture as a catalyst for change and said the new competition could take those efforts to a national level, driving "social connection, skills development and sustainable economic growth."
Competition details
The new UK Town of Culture scheme is open to towns of all sizes across the country. Expressions of interest must be submitted by 31st March 2024, with an expert panel led by veteran television producer Sir Phil Redmond judging proposals.
Successful towns will be shortlisted, with each receiving £60,000 to help prepare their formal bids. Three finalists, representing small, medium, and large-sized towns, will then face off for the title.
Elsewhere in East Lancashire, Pendle Council has confirmed it will not be submitting a bid on behalf of towns like Nelson, Colne and Barnoldwick. However, the contest has been flagged for the town councils in case they wish to apply independently.
Burnley joins Chorley as the only other town in Lancashire to announce plans for a bid so far, with hopes that the competition will provide a platform to celebrate its local culture and boost its future prospects.