Huddersfield urged to bid to become first ever Town of Culture
The UK's first ever Town of Culture will be crowned in 2028 - with Huddersfield being urged to bid
Kirklees’ Green councillors want to see Huddersfield become the UK’s first ever Town of Culture.
This week, the government announced a new competition which will see one town crowned the UK Town of Culture in 2028. The chosen area will receive a £3m prize and deliver a vibrant cultural programme. Small, medium and large towns are invited to express an interest by the end of March, with the shortlist expected to be announced in Spring.
The government says the move will create a lasting sense of pride in communities, attract investment and make the arts more accessible to all.
Local Green Party councillors think Huddersfield should seize the opportunity and showcase what the town has to offer. Group Leader, Cllr Andrew Cooper, said: “Huddersfield has a vibrant cultural scene driven by committed individuals and communities that enrich the lives of thousands in our town. By winning the UK Town of Culture we don’t just access government funding but we could help bring a positive vibe that we so desperately need in Huddersfield.
“Huddersfield has a good story to tell. We are the home to the Mrs Sunderland Competition, the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and young exciting bands and singer songwriters. We could give a real boost to the town’s music venues from the small ones like Northern Quarter on Wood Street to Huddersfield Town Hall. There are also wider arts projects such as drama, local artists and great projects like the textile arts festival, Woven.”
Councillor Cooper also highlighted how Bradford’s time as the City of Culture boosted the local economy. He said: “For every £1 invested in Bradford City of Culture it generated £26 in added value to the city and brought three million extra visitors.
“Kirklees is investing millions in its Cultural Heart project for Huddersfield. We should be using this investment to attract the £3m of government funding that is on offer and help boost our town. There are also significant opportunities to attract National Lottery Heritage Funds and Arts Council grants. We should not miss the chance of bringing substantial funding to Huddersfield.
“I’m keen that any bid we make should be led by the many cultural organisations and individuals in the cultural sector that make up our town. It should not be just another Kirklees Council project.”
His colleague, Cllr Karen Allison, who is on the Board of Lawrence Batley Theatre and is the Wardrobe Mistress at Longwood Amateur Theatre Company said: “Drama in our Town brings joy and enjoyment to thousands in our town, throughout the year. Whether it is Newsome Scouts Panto or the great productions we have at Lawrence Batley Theatre, the performing arts is something that young and old participate in.
“We have so much going for us in Huddersfield, drama, dance, music, the visual arts. We need to celebrate that and use it as a catalyst to take our town forward. We do a lot already in the arts sector but could do lots more with the proper funding and support.”