The UK government has launched a nationwide competition to find the country’s first-ever “Town of Culture,” aiming to celebrate smaller communities that have long been “written out of the national story.” Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced the initiative, which will award the winning town £3.5 million to develop a cultural programme in 2028.
Inspired by the success of the “City of Culture” scheme, which has previously spotlighted Derry, Hull, Coventry, and Bradford, the new competition seeks to highlight creativity, tourism, and civic pride in towns with populations under 75,000. Larger towns will still be eligible for the separate “City of Culture” title, which offers £10 million in funding for 2029.
Nandy, who represents Wigan, said the new award aims to give every community the opportunity to see their contribution reflected in Britain’s national story. “Great culture is everywhere,” she said, “but the chance to showcase it hasn’t been.”
She praised Bradford’s success as the current City of Culture, noting its mix of world-class and local artistic talent, and emphasized that the programme is about giving recognition and voice to proud towns across the country.