UK launches search for first-ever ‘town of culture’ to highlight

Published: 31 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The UK government has announced a new initiative to identify the country’s first “town of culture,” aiming to spotlight communities that have often been overlooked in the national narrative. Speaking about the launch, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasised that too many towns have been “written out of the national story,” and this programme intends to celebrate their unique cultural contributions.

This initiative builds on the success of the cities of culture programme, which has previously shone a light on cities like Derry, Hull, Coventry, and, most recently, Bradford. Supporters argue that the programme not only enhances local pride and civic engagement but also boosts tourism and the local economy. The winning town will receive £3.5 million to support a cultural programme scheduled for summer 2028.

In addition to the town of culture scheme, the competition for the 2029 UK City of Culture has also opened, with the government promising £10 million upfront to the winner, a first in the programme’s history.

During a visit to Bradford, Nandy explored a range of city of culture initiatives, including the Turner Prize exhibition held at Cartwright Hall gallery in Lister Park, which featured four contemporary artists shortlisted for the prestigious award. Nandy highlighted that debates about culture are often framed as a choice between excellence and accessibility. She argued that the vision seen in Bradford reflects the goal of providing “access to excellence,” ensuring that cultural achievements are both outstanding and inclusive.

Nandy further emphasised the importance of recognising the contributions of towns across the UK, stating that each community should see itself represented in the broader national story. Representing Wigan—a town known as the starting ground for icons such as The Verve and Sir Ian McKellen—Nandy stressed that many places have long been overlooked, and the new initiative aims to rectify this. She challenged the notion that only major cities produce award-winning talent, suggesting that Oscar or BAFTA winners could just as easily emerge from towns like Wigan, Barnsley, or Bradford.

The concept of the “town of culture” draws inspiration from a regional award in Greater Manchester, running since 2010, which annually highlights the creativity and diversity of one selected town. Government officials have indicated that towns with populations below 75,000 are expected to apply, but towns slightly above this threshold will not be excluded. Larger towns such as Reading, with more than 170,000 residents, are encouraged to aim for the city of culture title.

The city of culture designation is awarded every four years and lasts for a full year, during which cultural events are showcased, including hosting the Turner Prize. Andy Burnham, as Labour’s culture secretary in 2009 and later Mayor of Greater Manchester, introduced the scheme, modelling it after the European Capital of Culture initiative, which transformed cities like Glasgow in 1990 and Liverpool in 2008.

Bradford’s programme this year has been particularly notable, featuring events such as a magic opening show by Stephen Frayne, known as Dynamo, a David Hockney-inspired drawing project, a BBC Prom, and a performance of The Railway Children on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Nandy noted that Bradford had leveraged lessons from previous cities to deliver a particularly impressive cultural showcase, combining international talent with recognition for local artists.

She concluded that the programme is not simply about restoring pride within towns and cities but also about giving the nation a chance to recognise and celebrate the contributions of all communities. “People are proud of where they come from, and their pride should be acknowledged at the highest levels,” Nandy said. “This initiative allows every town to be part of the story our nation tells about itself.”