The new competition builds on the success of UK City of Culture – a title Coventry held in 2021 and, although, it was delayed due to Covid-19 it brought investment and a whole host of events and visitors to the city.
In a statement from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the Gov.uk website, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the new competition was a chance for towns to tell their story and take centre stage.
She said: “There is so much for us to be proud of in the towns we’re from - from the rich, local history to unique festivals and celebrations. They have shaped our national story for decades. Now it’s time they take centre stage and showcase the unique stories they have to tell.
“We have seen the transformative power of culture through the UK City of Culture competition. I want to make sure that towns have the same opportunity to make a real difference to their local community and show the world exactly why their town is so special.”
The Gov.uk website also states that: “Three finalists - one small, one medium, one large town - will be chosen. The winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028 and receive a £3 million prize. The two runners-up will each receive £250,000 to deliver elements of their bid, from refreshed community infrastructure to electric music festivals.”
In the latest edition of C&W in Business, we take a look at the four Warwickshire towns which are vying for the prize and what they are hoping helps them stand out from the crowd.
