Coventry steps up City of Culture bid after Government launches competition

ATTEMPTS by Coventry to claim the 2021 UK City of Culture crown have moved up a gear after the Government formally launched the bidding process for the competition.

The UK City of Culture title is designed to use culture as a catalyst for economic and social regeneration and raise the profile of arts and creativity locally and across the country.

It also helps cities develop a broader high quality arts and culture sector, as well as attract increased business investment and boost tourism.

The launch of the 2021 competition comes in the same month that Hull kicked off its year as the second UK City of Culture, after Derry / Londonderry in 2013.

The Coventry City of Culture Trust has been working on a bid for more than a year and the Government announcement means it now knows key dates and the full bid process.

David Burbidge, the chair of the City of Culture Trust, said the support from the city – and the region – had been incredible so far but now was time to step up a gear.

He said: “We have been doing a huge amount of work in the run up to this announcement. A massive amount of research into the city has been undertaken from a cultural, economic and social point of view so we know exactly what we want City of Culture to achieve for Coventry.

“Coventry’s population is on average seven years younger than the rest of the country and young people will play a major role in 2021. We are a diverse city too and, already through this process, we have drawn out some wonderful stories of Coventry’s cultures giving them the local, national and international profile they deserve.

“But the truth is Coventry doesn’t only want to be City of Culture in 2021 – it very much needs this opportunity to help to tackle some of the inequalities that remain and to turn round the city’s visitor economy.”

He said it was clear that the whole city was behind the bid, with residents, politicians, businesses, the city’s two universities and cultural organisations all backing the bid.

“When we first announced that we would bid – 80% of the population said they were behind it, which is a terrific show of support. But now we need to galvanise the people of Coventry behind this and to build pride in the place, culture and identity of this diverse modern city,” he added.

Stressing the wider benefits, he said a winning bid would bring major benefits to the West Midlands.

“Places like Glasgow, Manchester, Hull and Liverpool have shown how perceptions of the north can be changed. The time is right for the Midlands to stand up and deliver,” he said.

“We are inspired by Hull which has kicked off its year so dramatically and so positively, attracting 340,000 visitors to its first event.

“And for Coventry, which once stood as the capital of England, this is a great chance to take centre stage once again.”

Coventry City Council, The University of Warwick, and Coventry University are Principal Partners of the bid and are providing significant support. The Ricoh Arena is Bid Sponsor while Jaguar Land Rover, Friargate, Coventry Building Society, the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Birmingham Airport, Pertemps and CEF (City Electrical Factors) are all Bid Development Sponsors.