Over 80 contenders await shortlist for UK Town of Culture 2028

Anticipation is building across the United Kingdom as towns await the announcement of the first-ever UK Town of Culture shortlist.

Launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to combat community decline and revive regional identity, the groundbreaking initiative has officially closed its first round of applications.

More than 80 locations spanning England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have submitted Expressions of Interest to secure the inaugural 2028 title.

The initiative mirrors the highly successful UK City of Culture franchise, most recently celebrated by Bradford. However, this brand-new spin-off deliberately targets localised communities outside of major metropolitan hubs.

To maintain fairness across diverse communities, the competition splits contenders into three categories: small towns (populations under 20,000), medium towns (20,000 to 75,000), and large towns (over 75,000).

Major populations without city status, such as Northampton, Luton, and Reading, remain fully eligible, while areas within Greater London are excluded.

Independent panel chair Sir Phil Redmond, the veteran television producer behind Grange Hill and Hollyoaks, emphasised that judges are seeking 'passionate, authentic voices' capable of illuminating their community's unique heritage.

Longton in Staffordshire built its pitch around its historic ceramics industry and a folklore-inspired pig carnival. Meanwhile, the rural market town of Ledbury in Herefordshire centred its campaign on its historic poetry festival and surrounding natural landscape.

The grand winner will receive a £3 million prize to fund a six-month cultural extravaganza throughout 2028, while two runners-up will each secure £250,000.

Data from previous City of Culture iterations suggests that the winning town can expect a massive spike in tourism, thousands of creative training opportunities for local youth, and a substantial, multi-million-pound boost to the regional economy.