Bootle, Prescot, Widnes and New Brighton have all missed out on being shortlisted for Town of Culture 2028, while Birkenhead has been selected for the next stage in the competition. The title, launched by the government, aims to restore pride in and celebrate communities across the country.
Competition Details and Funding
The winners will be announced in early 2027 and will receive £3 million to run a six-month cultural programme. Shortlisted towns will receive £60,000 in seed funding to develop their final, comprehensive bid, after which three finalists will be chosen. The two runners-up will each get £250,000 to bring smaller elements of their bids to life.
Birkenhead has been shortlisted in the large town category, while Prescot, Bootle and Widnes had been competing for the medium town award, and New Brighton submitted a bid in the small town group.
Prescot's Bid and Local Reactions
Prescot, put forward by Knowsley Council, highlighted its Shakespearean connections and recent town centre regeneration in its application. Before the shortlist was announced, Council leader Cllr Graham Morgan told the ECHO: “Prescot is full of rich history and its heritage and culture has been celebrated for a long time now. We’ve seen first-hand how culture can connect, inspire and empower, as well as acting as a catalyst for regeneration. We’ve built the Shakespeare North Playhouse, but even before that was built, people invested in independent bars and restaurants.”
Bootle's Ambitions and Reaction
Sefton Council said that Bootle’s Town of Culture events would have aimed to leave a lasting legacy beyond 2028 to complement the ongoing transformation of Bootle Strand and the town centre. Council leader Marion Atkinson told the ECHO: “Bootle’s got all the bells and whistles. It’s got the community, it’s got the personality, it’s got the culture through Salt and Tar, it’s got all of the partnerships.”
National Context and Full Shortlist
Some 398 bids were submitted by over 400 towns. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the number of 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 government says the Town of Culture competition will “continue to shine a light on local visions and voices from across the UK to help encourage increased local investment, create a lasting sense of pride and open doors to the arts and culture for everyone.”
The full shortlist is as follows:
- Small towns: Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane, and Stockton Town Centre Ward
- Medium towns: Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd, and Port Talbot
- Large towns: Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham
