UK Town of Culture: More than 400 towns step forward as judges prepare to reveal the shortlist
The inaugural UK Town of Culture competition has prompted an extraordinary wave of enthusiasm, with over 400 towns submitting bids to become the first holder of the new national title. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy marked the moment with a visit to the Museum of Liverpool, where a digital display of postcards—one from every bidding town—has been unveiled as a celebration of local identity and ambition.
A national snapshot of local pride
The government confirmed 398 formal bids, representing more than 400 towns across the UK. To honour the scale of interest, each town was invited to create a postcard capturing its character and cultural vision.
These postcards, now displayed digitally at the Museum of Liverpool, offer a vivid cross‑section of the UK’s cultural landscape. They will remain in the National Museums Liverpool collection as part of a new national archive documenting this moment.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Sir Phil Redmond, chair of the independent judging panel, visited the museum ahead of the shortlist announcement, expected in the coming weeks.
Liverpool’s cultural legacy
The visit carries symbolic weight. Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008 reshaped the city’s cultural identity and inspired the creation of the UK’s own City of Culture programme. The Museum of Liverpool—host of the postcard display—stands as a physical legacy of that transformative period.
Laura Pye, Director of National Museums Liverpool, highlighted the long-term impact of cultural investment:
“It stands as a powerful reminder that investment in culture creates benefits that endure long after the spotlight has moved on.”
What leaders are saying
Nandy framed the competition as a chance to rebalance how the UK values its towns:
“For far too long, towns across the UK have felt left out of our national story… I hope each and every town is incredibly proud of the work they have done to champion their community.”
Sir Phil Redmond emphasised the significance of the response:
“People overwhelmingly wanted to demonstrate the sense of pride they have in their own communities… each contributes to our shared national story.”
What winning means
The winning town will host a season of culture in 2028, following in the footsteps of City of Culture winners including Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry, and Bradford.
Bradford’s recent year in the spotlight illustrates the potential impact:
5,000 events, with more than 75% free
3 million attendees
800 organisations involved
Capital investment for over 30 cultural organisations
100,000 residents participating in key projects
The government hopes towns will benefit from the bidding process itself, regardless of outcome, by galvanising local pride and encouraging residents to engage with cultural activity.
What happens next
The shortlist for UK Town of Culture will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, all entries and postcards can be explored through the interactive UK Town of Culture map, offering a nationwide snapshot of creativity and community ambition.
