Fifteen towns have been shortlisted to become the UK’s first ‘Town of Culture’ after nearly 400 places across the country applied to enter the landmark competition. And, a Yorkshire town is still in the running to become the first with the winner set to be announced early next year.
The news comes as the government confirms it received 398 bids from over 400 towns as part of the competition, which aims to shine a lot on many towns across the UK that are each as vital as the next in the nation’s story.
Fifteen towns now compete for the first UK ‘Town of Culture’ 2028
In the running for the incredible title for Yorkshire is Rotherham in South Yorkshire, situated along the Rivers Don and Rother, and known for its proud industrial heritage. It’s famous for its steel and coal-mining history, and will truly benefit from the rewards of winning ‘Town of Culture’
Other UK towns in the running include:
- Small towns: Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane, and Stockton Town Centre Ward
- Medium towns: Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd, and Port Talbot
- Large towns: Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham
Now each town in the shortlist will recieve £60,000 each to develop their full bids, which will then be assessed by the independent judging panel. One finalist from each catergory will then be selected with the overall winner announced next year. An overall winner from these three towns will be designated the “UK Town of Culture 2028” and receive a £3 million grant from the government
The aim of the UK ‘Town of Culture’ competition is part of the government’s ambition to restore pride in the local areas in every part of Britain and deliver a decade of national renewal. Throughout this year, this competition – and the ongoing UK City of Culture 2029 competition – will continue to shine a light on local visions and voices from across the UK to help encourage increased local investment, create a lasting sense of pride, and open doors to the arts and culture for everyone.
The additional two towns, from the other two categories, will be selected as finalists and receive £250,000 each to carry out part of their programme.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I want to say a massive congratulations to the fifteen 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. When I launched this competition, I wanted to shine a light on our amazing towns all across the UK and the huge contribution they make to our national life.”
“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.”
The benefits of the cultural investment is clear with previous UK City of Culture holders Hull and Bradford seeing great transformations. Especially, Hull’s Humber Street, which is now a tourist destination like no other and a great community assett. Research from Bradford 2025 shows more than 80 per cent of attendees felt events increased their pride in the place they live.
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Feature Image Credit: Photo © Ben Sutherland (cc-by-sa/2.0)
