Birkenhead, Merseyside, is among the final four candidates in the large towns category for the UK's first-ever Town of Culture award, competing for a £3 million government grant. The competition, run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, aims to recognise and invest in towns across the UK.
Shortlist Announced from Nearly 400 Applicants
From nearly 400 initial applicants, only 15 towns have been shortlisted, each receiving £60,000 to develop full bids for the 2028 award. The winning town will be named the UK Town of Culture 2028, host a season of cultural events, and receive a £3 million grant. Runners-up in each category will receive £250,000.
The shortlisted towns are divided into three categories: small, medium, and large. In the large towns category, Birkenhead faces competition from Basildon, Grimsby, and Rotherham. The medium towns category includes Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd, and Port Talbot. Small towns shortlisted are Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane, and Stockton Town Centre Ward.
Government and Panel Reactions
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy congratulated the shortlisted towns, stating: “I want to say a massive congratulations to the 15 shortlisted towns and I wish them luck in the next round of the competition. The fact that we received so many applications just goes to show how proud people are of their towns. When I launched this competition, I wanted to shine a light on our amazing towns all across the UK and the huge contribution they make to our national life. I am so glad that so many towns have applied and I hope each and every town, whether they have been shortlisted or not, is incredibly proud of the work they have done to champion their local community.”
The shortlist was decided by an independent panel chaired by Sir Phil Redmond, creator of Brookside, Grange Hill, and Hollyoaks. Sir Phil commented: “The response to the competition has been, to say the least, overwhelming, quite literally from all four corners of the UK. It has been fantastic that nearly 400 towns have come forward, sharing their sense of pride, ambition and desire to demonstrate how much they have and continue to contribute to our national story. That, of course, has made making the decision on the shortlist itself much more difficult, never mind the actual winners. I look forward to visiting those towns that have made the list and I am sure that, just like City of Culture, those that didn’t manage it will have found the experience of taking part worthwhile in strengthening partnerships, raising awareness and reminding us all of the depth and spread of the UK’s cultural landscape. I’d like to thank them all for that.”
City of Culture Competition Running in Parallel
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is also running its fifth UK City of Culture award, with previous winners including Derry-Londonderry (2013), Hull (2017), Coventry (2021), and Bradford (2025). Blackpool has submitted a bid for the 2029 City of Culture title, which carries a £10 million prize intended to support cultural activities, restore local pride, and secure economic growth.
