Wrexham has been shortlisted as one of four cities in the running to be named the UK City of Culture 2029, a title that comes with a £10m prize fund. The announcement was made on Thursday, placing Wrexham alongside Blackpool, Milton Keynes, and Sheffield, all of which are in England.
Wrexham, which only gained official city status in 2022 as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, is home to just over 44,000 residents. The city has gained global recognition through its transformed football club, owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Competition and Bidding Process
The competition is run by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in collaboration with the devolved governments in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. The shortlist was recommended by the UK City of Culture expert advisory panel, chaired by Sir Phil Redmond.
The four locations were whittled down from a longlist of nine applications. The other cities that did not make the cut were Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, and Swindon.
Benefits and Next Steps
If Wrexham wins, it would receive benefits for its community, including increased investment, more access to cultural activities, and job creation. The DCMS said the competition supports a key part of the UK Government's drive to boost pride in every part of the country and ensure every town and city benefits from economic growth by devolving more power, funding, and decision-making to local leaders.
Each shortlisted place is now guaranteed to receive at least £125,000 to take forward further elements of its bid, but only one place will ultimately go on to take the title and the £10m prize fund. As part of its bid, Wrexham, along with other entries, was asked to explain how it would use culture as a catalyst to transform itself and the lives of communities through growth, opportunities, and "pride".
Reactions to the Shortlist
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said: "Congratulations to Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield, and Wrexham on making the shortlist. They are proud of their incredible culture and they are right to be."
Welsh secretary Stephen Kinnock said: "Huge congratulations to Wrexham on being shortlisted for the City of Culture 2029. Wales' newest city has a huge amount to offer in heritage, culture, and sport and I'd like to wish them every success with the next stage of their bid."
Joanna Knight OBE, chair of the Wrecsam2029 bid, said: "What an incredible moment for Wrexham. To be shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2029 is fantastic news and something our whole community should be immensely proud of." She added that the support from people and organisations locally, nationally, and internationally has been "phenomenal", and that Wrexham "is the right place and it's the right time".
Sir Phil Redmond, Chair of the UK City of Culture Expert Advisory Panel, said: "Once again there is a hard choice ahead. The four places on the shortlist continue to demonstrate both the variety and strength of creative ambition across the UK."
The winner of the UK City of Culture 2029 will be announced in early 2027.
