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Blackpool Aims for City of Culture 2029
18 Mar
Summary
- Blackpool, a large town, is eligible to bid for UK City of Culture 2029.
- The resort has a population of 141,500 and a visitor economy valued at £2bn.
- A successful bid would bring £10m in funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.
Blackpool has advanced to the long list of contenders for the prestigious UK City of Culture 2029 title. The seaside resort is making its case despite its designation as a town, taking advantage of government encouragement for larger towns to participate in the bidding process. This marks a significant step following an initial Expression of Interest submitted earlier this year.
Meeting the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport's (DCMS) criteria, Blackpool, with its 141,500 residents and a visitor economy worth £2bn, is vying for the title. Council leader Lynne Williams expressed enthusiasm, highlighting the town's vibrant cultural offerings, including recent festivals and upcoming exhibitions by renowned artists.
Several significant anniversaries align with the potential bid year, including the 150th of the Blackpool Illuminations in 2029 and anniversaries for The Blackpool Tower and Grand Theatre. These milestones underscore Blackpool's rich heritage. The town is competing against eight other locations, with the winner set to receive £10m in funding.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized the government's commitment to distributing opportunity more widely across the UK. The DCMS confirmed that bids are welcomed from various places, not solely cities, encouraging larger towns and groups of locations to participate. The final decision will depend on the strength of the submitted bids.
