Finalists Announced for UK Town of Culture 2023

Fifteen towns have been selected to compete for the title of the UK’s inaugural Town of Culture, a competition that attracted nearly 400 entries from across the nation. This initiative highlights the diverse cultural contributions of various towns, showcasing the integral role they play in the UK’s rich narrative.

The shortlisted towns, which will each receive £60,000 to further develop their bids, are divided into three categories based on size: small, medium, and large. The small towns include Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane, and Stockton Town Centre Ward; the medium towns comprise Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd, and Port Talbot; while the large towns consist of Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby, and Rotherham. An independent judging panel will assess the comprehensive proposals submitted by these towns, with one finalist from each category expected to be announced early next year.

The Role of Culture in Community Pride

This competition is part of the government’s broader strategy to instil a sense of pride in local communities throughout the UK. Announced alongside the Pride in Place Programme, the Town of Culture initiative aims to foster a decade of national renewal. Throughout the year, this competition, alongside the UK City of Culture 2029, will spotlight local ambitions and voices, encouraging increased investment in the arts and culture sector while nurturing a lasting pride within communities.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed her congratulations to the shortlisted towns, emphasising the immense pride that local residents have in their communities. She noted that the overwhelming number of applications underscores the importance of towns in contributing to the UK’s cultural landscape. Nandy voiced her hope that all towns involved, regardless of their shortlist status, feel proud of their efforts to promote their local heritage.

Acknowledging Regional Heritage

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens also congratulated Port Talbot and Pontypridd on their shortlist success, highlighting their rich cultural histories. Port Talbot has produced notable talents in the acting field, inspired by the region’s industrial past, while Pontypridd is revered as the birthplace of the Welsh National Anthem, a significant symbol of national pride.

Kirsty McNeill, the UK Government Minister for Scotland, reflected on the remarkable cultural heritage found in Scotland, noting that the inclusion of three Scottish towns on the shortlist exemplifies the diversity of communities across the nation. She acknowledged each town’s unique narrative and the passion of its residents, which is evident in their bids.

The Judging Process and Future Prospects

The shortlisted towns were chosen by an independent panel chaired by Sir Phil Redmond, whose team was selected for their extensive cultural expertise and regional representation. Sir Phil remarked on the overwhelming response to the competition, stating that it was heartening to witness nearly 400 towns expressing their pride and ambition. He looks forward to visiting the shortlisted locations, confident that the experience will foster valuable partnerships and awareness of the UK’s cultural richness.

As these towns prepare their final bids, they will articulate how they plan to utilise culture to celebrate their identity, tell original stories, empower their communities, and increase accessibility to cultural experiences. The independent panel will evaluate these submissions to determine the best small, medium, and large towns, with an overall winner to be designated as the “UK Town of Culture 2028.” This winning town will receive a £3 million grant to support its cultural initiatives, while the other two finalists will receive £250,000 each.

The Legacy of Cultural Investment

The winning town is expected to host a cultural season in 2028, fostering a legacy of local pride and community engagement in the arts, similar to the successes witnessed in previous UK City of Culture winners such as Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry, and Bradford. The government aims for towns to experience the benefits of participating in this competition, encouraging residents to engage in cultural events that celebrate their communities.

The impact of cultural investment is evident from prior holders of the UK City of Culture title, which collectively attracted over £1 billion in additional funding and welcomed approximately two million visitors. Recent audience research from Bradford 2025 indicates that over 80% of attendees felt an increase in pride for their locality as a result of cultural events.

To honour all towns that participated in the inaugural UK Town of Culture competition, each town was invited to submit a postcard celebrating their bid. These postcards were shared on social media and showcased by National Museums Liverpool, where they will remain as part of the national collection to commemorate every town’s involvement.

Further guidance for the shortlisted towns to assist in their final preparations will be provided shortly, paving the way for the next exciting phase of this landmark cultural initiative.