Warrington to make City of Culture bid

Warrington has thrown its hat into the ring as a candidate to become the UK’s City of Culture in 2021.

It is among 11 towns and cities to formally enter the competition, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has announced.

The winning city or town will follow Derry-Londonderry, who held the title in 2013, and current incumbent Hull. The East Yorkshire city expects to receive a £60m boost to its economy through its year-long cultural programme.

Matt Hancock, minister for digital and culture, said: “UK City of Culture is a fantastic opportunity for towns and cities to celebrate their creativity and use culture as a catalyst for economic growth.

“UK City of Culture helps boost tourism and raises the profile of arts and culture.”

Paisley, Perth, Portsmouth, St David’s and the Hundred of Dewisland in Pembrokeshire, Sunderland, Swansea, Warrington and Wells have also submitted bids to become the third UK City of Culture.

The title was created after the success of Liverpool’s year as European City of Culture in 2008, with the European title only due to return to the UK in 2023.

The 11 cities will be reduced to a shortlist in the summer before the winner is announced in December.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has said it will support future holders of the UK City of Culture title with £3m, provided that the programme is “underpinned by heritage and builds on existing investment by the Heritage Lottery Fund”.