Chorley bids for inaugural Town of Culture status

Chorley has become the first place in Lancashire to declare that it will bid to become the UK’s inaugural Town of Culture.

The government has launched a competition that will determine which town will wear the crown when the newly-created honour is bestowed for the first time in 2028.

The winner will receive £3m to stage a 12-month cultural showcase – with two runners-up each in line for £250k to host elements of their proposed programmes. 

However, the government claims that the competition itself will provide “a platform for communities across the country to tell their own unique story” and create “a lasting sense of pride in towns” – as well as improving access to the arts.

As a county with a plethora of potential entrants – from Leyland to Longridge and Blackpool to Barnoldswick – Lancashire will be hoping it is in with a good chance of success.

Of the 14 local council areas in Lancashire, all except Preston contain places within their borders that would be eligible for the title.  The competition, first announced in October, is open to towns of all sizes.

When the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) approached each local authority on Tuesday – less than 24 hours before entries for the competition opened – only Chorley, which is both a town and wider borough, said that it had definitely decided to throw its hat into the ring.

Peter Wilson, deputy leader of Chorley Council, said:  “Chorley will absolutely bid to be the UK’s first Town of Culture. 

“Our borough lives and breathes culture – through our heritage and events that bring people together all year round. Our Destination Management Plan sets out a bold ambition to grow the visitor economy, defining Chorley as the best of Lancashire, all in one place. 

“Through this plan and our emerging cultural strategy, we are strengthening partnerships and investing in experiences that people love – at spaces like Astley Hall, Chorley Markets, the town centre, our parks and open spaces and the wider borough. 

“A successful bid would drive forward our plans and shine a national spotlight on Chorley – our artists, venues, events, and communities. We’re excited to see what’s next and look forward to submitting our application.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Ribble Valley Borough Council, said it was also eyeing up the possibility of a bid for the two towns within its patch.

“The Town of Culture competition will give us the opportunity to showcase Clitheroe and Longridge’s unique heritage and identity.

 “We are studying the criteria carefully and will decide whether to make a bid in due course,” the spokesperson added.

Towns are now being invited to submit expressions of interest for the competition by the end of March.  Veteran television producer Sir Phil Redmond – creator of Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks – will lead an expert panel, judging towns on the way they would tell their story and “bring everyone in a community together”.

The strongest proposals will then be shortlisted, with each one receiving £60k to help produce their full bids for the competition.   Three finalists – one small, one medium, one large-sized town – will then be chosen to go head-to-head.

The competition mirrors that of the UK City of Culture, which has so far been awarded four times since it launched in 2013.  As of last year, it has been open to wider areas that are not necessarily centred around cities.   

However, Sir Phil said the need for a towns-focused event was obvious.  

“In the past, it has been hard to adequately demonstrate the depth, breadth and diversity of the UK’s cultural landscape through the UK City of Culture’s urban lens.

“The two competitions will complement each other while providing more opportunities for more places to both demonstrate and celebrate that creativity is not confined to the great urban concert halls, theatres or galleries. It is in everything we do together. In every town, village, neighbourhood, street or road. 

“UK Town of Culture asks what makes your town special? What makes its people proud to be there? And why should that be celebrated?”

In 2021, Lancashire, as a county, looked set to bid for the more fluid City of Culture title for 2025 – but the plan was ditched after the county council withdrew its support. 

Meanwhile, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said of the Town of Culture competition launch:  “There is so much for us to be proud of in the towns we’re from – from the rich, local history to unique festivals and celebrations. They have shaped our national story for decades. Now it’s time they take centre stage and showcase the unique stories they have to tell.  

“We have seen the transformative power of culture through the UK City of Culture competition. I want to make sure that towns have the same opportunity to make a real difference to their local community and show the world exactly why their town is so special.”