The government has announced the record number of applicants who will compete for the award, which has been opened to counties and groups of cities for the first time.
Lancashire confirmed its intention to enter the race for the title last month after its long-planned bid collapsed after a last-minute funding dispute earlier this summer.
The Lancashire County Council withdrew its financial support for the project in June, claiming that the risk of having to pay the entire estimated £ 22m bill to provide the one-year series of events was too great to bear should that be Offer to be successful.
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Lancashire hopes to make the most of its heritage – from Blackpool to Burnley and Clitheroe to Preston
Preston, Blackpool and Blackburn with the Darwen Councils, however, offered their support for the title attempt after an eleven hour agreement – together with the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership. Full details of the revised financial agreements – which include an earlier £ 620,000 contribution from County Hall to fund the development of the offering – have not been released.
It goes without saying that Lancashire’s pitch will focus on all corners of the county, creating four different “hub” areas – all centered around the concept of a “virtual city”.
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Lancashire sets the offer for the city of culture – but which parts of the county should …
The county’s competitors include traditional town bidders such as Derby and Southampton, other counties such as Durham, and broader sub-regions including the Scottish-English border area.
The 20 spots that have submitted so-called “expressions of interest” will be reduced to a long list of applicants in the coming weeks, each of whom will receive £ 40,000 from the government for their formal application costs. Past winners have covered the majority of program implementation costs through grants from the Ministry of Culture, Media and Sport and organizations such as the Council of Culture.
A shortlist is then to be drawn up by the beginning of next year, with the areas that have made it into the last phase each receive a visit from officials who decide which bidder receives the title, which is awarded every four years. This announcement will be made next May.
Minister of Culture Oliver Dowden welcomed the record number of applications and described them as “proof of the great success of the city of culture in generating investment, creating jobs and strengthening local pride”.
“This prestigious award is a fantastic opportunity for cities and municipalities to better recover from the pandemic and I wish all bidders the best of luck.”
City of Culture Expert Advisory Board Chairman Sir Phil Redmond added that even applying for the title can bring benefits – regardless of the end result.
“The three previous titleholders have shown the transformative and catalytic effects that culture can have in places that have ultimately been unsuccessful but have developed collaborative and sustainable partnerships.
“From Derry-Londonderry to Hull and Coventry, choosing the next British cultural city has been a difficult and rewarding challenge.
“The list for 2025 also shows the range of ambition, ambition and innovation that exists from coast to coast and nation to nation across the UK and I look forward to the challenge of re-diving into the rich creativity of the UK,” said Mr Redmond.
The 2025 City of Culture takes over the baton from Coventry, which holds the crown this year.
WHO ARE LANCASHIRE’S CULTURAL COMPETITORS?
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
The city of Bangor and North West Wales
The Borderlands region, consisting of Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders, Northumberland, Cumbria and Carlisle City
Great Yarmouth & East Suffolk
