Basildon, Birkenhead and Grimsby among places shortlisted to be named UK’s first Town of Culture
Twelve Communities Advance in Quest for Prestigious British Town of Culture Honor
Basildon Birkenhead and Grimsby among places - A remarkable collection of communities across Britain have progressed to the next phase of a prestigious national competition designed to celebrate local heritage and cultural achievement. Fifteen municipalities have been selected from an impressive pool of approximately four hundred applicants to compete for the inaugural UK Town of Culture title, with each receiving financial support of £60,000 to prepare comprehensive proposals for the 2028 designation.
The competition represents a significant opportunity for smaller communities to showcase their unique character and contributions to national life. The winning municipality will be officially recognized as the UK Town of Culture 2028, securing access to a substantial £3 million government grant while organizing an extensive cultural program throughout that year. This initiative runs parallel to the established City of Culture award, which celebrates in 2029.
Competitive Categories and Financial Rewards
The fifteen selected communities have been organized into three distinct categories based on their size and characteristics. Those that reach the final stage but do not win will each receive £250,000 in funding. Within the small towns category, six communities have advanced: Ilfracombe, the Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane, and Stockton Town Centre Ward. Additional towns including Basildon, Birkenhead, and Grimsby are also among the leading candidates in this competitive process.
The financial investment demonstrates the government's commitment to supporting cultural development beyond major urban centers. Each shortlisted community will utilize their £60,000 allocation to develop detailed plans showcasing their cultural assets, community engagement strategies, and vision for the future.
Government Support and Vision
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed her enthusiasm for the competition's progress, emphasizing the importance of recognizing communities across the entire nation. She highlighted how the overwhelming response to the initiative reflects genuine pride in local identity and achievement.
I want to say a massive congratulations to the 15 shortlisted towns and I wish them luck in the next round of the competition. The fact that we received so many applications just goes to show how proud people are of their towns.
Secretary Nandy further noted that when she initially launched this competition, her primary objective was to illuminate the remarkable contributions that towns throughout Britain make to national life. She expressed particular satisfaction that numerous communities have participated, regardless of whether they ultimately advance in the selection process.
I am so glad that so many towns have applied and I hope each and every town, whether they have been shortlisted or not, is incredibly proud of the work they have done to champion their local community.
Parallel City of Culture Initiative
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is simultaneously conducting its fifth UK City of Culture award competition. Previous recipients of this prestigious title include Derry-Londonderry in 2013, Hull in 2017, Coventry in 2021, and Bradford in 2025. The city competition offers a considerably larger £10 million prize, with similar objectives of promoting cultural activities, restoring community pride, and securing economic growth through cultural investment.
Expert Panel Assessment
The selection of the shortlisted towns was determined by an independent evaluation panel led by Sir Phil Redmond, the renowned creator of several beloved British television series including Brookside, Grange Hill, and Hollyoaks. Sir Phil described the response to the competition as truly overwhelming, with applications arriving from every region of the United Kingdom.
The response to the competition has been, to say the least, overwhelming, quite literally from all four corners of the UK. It has been fantastic that nearly 400 towns have come forward, sharing their sense of pride, ambition and desire to demonstrate how much they have and continue to contribute to our national story.
Sir Phil acknowledged that the sheer volume of enthusiastic applications made the selection process particularly challenging. He expressed confidence that even communities not ultimately selected would benefit from the experience through strengthened partnerships, increased awareness, and renewed appreciation for Britain's diverse cultural landscape.
That, of course, has made making the decision on the shortlist itself much more difficult, never mind the actual winners. I look forward to visiting those towns that have made the list and I am sure that, just like City of Culture, those that didn't manage it will have found the experience of taking part worthwhile in strengthening partnerships, raising awareness and reminding us all of the depth and spread of the UK's cultural landscape.
The competition represents more than a simple award ceremony; it embodies a broader vision of celebrating local identity and ensuring that cultural recognition extends beyond metropolitan areas to communities throughout the nation.