Brexit scuppers Leeds Capital of Culture hopes

Leeds’ bid to be crowned European Capital of Culture 2023 is in tatters because UK cities are not eligible for the title due to Brexit, it has been announced.

Five UK cities, including Leeds, were bidding to host the title, with the winner expected to be announced next week. But in a letter to the Government, the European Commission said that UK access would be discontinued following the Brexit vote.

The Leeds 2023 team had already secured many public and private partners to back its bid, including Leeds Beckett University, University of Leeds and Leeds City Council as principal sponsors. Yorkshire Bank, aql, Yorkshire Building Society and Yorkshire Water had signed up to be event sponsors. There are then 11 regional partners and 10 ‘bid backers’ from across the region – all of whom had backed the bid in many ways, including financial sponsorship.

Years of work had been put into the #MakeLeeds2023 bid and its submission was celebrated by a large celebration the Quarry Hill area of the city just last month. A steering group for the city’s bid was first established in September 2015. The 14-strong panel was responsible for deciding how to showcase Leeds to the judges. Made up of a mix of figures from the arts, culture, business, education and political sectors, the group is chaired by Sharon Watson of Phoenix Dance Theatre.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We are hugely frustrated by the European Commission’s apparent proposal to remove the opportunity for a UK city to host the European Capital of Culture title in 2023. This announcement has been made after cities have submitted their 80 page bids and just four working days before the city was due to meet with the panel  – it is shocking.

“As a city, we have pursued this title with enthusiasm, diligence and determination, following the process to the letter throughout and to have the rug pulled from under us at this late stage would be a huge blow.

“In Leeds we believe in a future where our culture in all its forms is valued and experienced by the broadest set of people, and for it to be central to the city’s identity and to its future – both economically and socially.

“We have held urgent talks with the DCMS and other bidding cities and we await further clarification from the DCMS regarding what steps we now need to take.

“We remain fully committed to the excellent work that has already been carried out alongside our European partners to promote Leeds as a centre for cultural excellence and diversity and will continue to progress our ambitious strategy to put culture at the heart of everything we do as a city.”

Sponsor reactions

John Alderton, Leeds office managing partner at Squire Patton Boggs, said: “Yesterday’s news is disappointing. Leeds and the other UK bid cities have put an incredible amount of hard work into their bids. Hopefully the decision will be reversed as whilst the UK is leaving the EU, we aren’t leaving Europe.

“Irrespective of the decision, Leeds 2023 has helped bring business and culture together and has highlighted the incredible cultural diversity we have in our city. I am sure that Leeds 2023 will be the catalyst for making culture a central part of the continued regeneration of our great city.” 

Phil Forster, aviation development & corporate affairs manager at Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “We are disappointed by the European Commission’s decision to remove the opportunity for a UK city to host the European Capital of Culture title in 2023.

“As a big supporter, we have been able to witness the incredible amount of hard work that has gone into supporting the Leeds bid.

“A great deal of energy and good will has been created and as we hope a solution can be found, we are ready to support the city whatever resolution should be put forward next.”

A DCMS spokesperson added: “We disagree with the European Commission’s stance and are deeply disappointed that it has waited until after UK cities have submitted their final bids before communicating this new position to us. The Prime Minister has been clear that while we are leaving the EU, we are not leaving Europe and this has been welcomed by EU leaders.

“We want to continue working with our friends in Europe to promote the long-term economic development of our continent, which may include participating in cultural programmes. We remain committed to working with the five UK cities that have submitted bids to help them realise their cultural ambitions and we are in urgent discussions with the Commission on the matter.”

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