Have your say on early Town of Culture bid

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, working with a range of partners from the cultural sector, is asking people for their comments and ideas as it progresses an outline application to unlock major investment for a vibrant 2028 events programme celebrating the town’s heritage, creativity and cultural life.

The national competition aims to boost local economies, strengthen local identity and widen access to the arts. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will eventually select the best small, medium and large towns from later applications and one will be named UK Town of Culture 2028, receiving £3 million. The other two will each receive £250,000.

The council is now preparing an initial expression of interest bid which outlines a clear, compelling vision of what it wants to achieve, how Newcastle-under-Lyme could benefit economically, socially and culturally; existing heritage and cultural strengths and early programme ideas.

Comments can be submitted via an online survey. Informal drop-in sessions are taking place at the Guildhall on Friday, 20 March, from 4pm to 7pm, and Keele in Town on Monday, 23 March, between 11am and 2pm, where visitors can:

• Find out more about the bid and what it means for the area;
• Share ideas for events, activities and cultural projects;
• Highlight local stories, heritage and creative talent;
• Complete a survey to ensure community voices are reflected in the first bid.

Council Leader Simon Tagg said:

The Town of Culture programme is a prestigious initiative that celebrates creativity, culture and community. A successful bid would bring significant opportunities to Newcastle-under-Lyme including increased investment, tourism and a national platform to showcase the borough’s vibrant cultural scene.

 

At this stage, we are developing a strong story about what makes our unique place special already – award winning jewels such as the Brampton Museum, Apedeale Heritage Centre and the New Vic Theatre being just a few examples – and why it deserves to be in the running. We want to make sure that local people are involved in telling that story.”

Much of the borough’s history, heritage and culture was celebrated in 2023 during the year-long 850th anniversary celebrations which led to the landmark statue of Queen Elizabeth II being unveiled in Queens Gardens as well as being crowned national winners of Britian in Bloom. Another long-term legacy is the creation of a Civic Pride Investment Fund, within the Civic Pride campaign, to help bring communities closer together.

Charl Pearce, Manager of Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District which is supporting the bid, added:

This bid is about bringing partners together to shape something that reflects the breadth of culture in Newcastle-under-Lyme. From grassroots creatives and local venues to regional organisations and educational partners, there is a real opportunity to build a programme that is collaborative, inclusive and representative of the town.  

 

Town of Culture 2028 would allow us to draw on a wide range of cultural influences and partnerships, strengthening what already exists while creating space for new ideas and activity to develop.”