Mayor urges entries into Town of Culture contest to celebrate best of East Midlands

Credit: Onclusive News

The Mayor of the East Midlands has urged communities across the region to show pride in their town – and bid to be the UK’s first Town of Culture.

The Government has this week launched the first UK Town of Culture competition in a bid to drive local economic growth and opportunity – and the Mayor wants towns across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to enter.

The competition is open to small, medium and large towns, with the winner delivering a vibrant cultural programme. the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said this competition “brings local investment, creates a lasting sense of pride in towns, and opens doors to the arts for everyone”, by showcasing towns’ local visions and voices through new arts venues, performances, workshops and more.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for one of our towns to be recognised on a national scale – an opportunity to celebrate the very heart of who we are and what makes our communities special.

“Culture isn’t just about big cities; it’s about the stories, traditions and creativity that bring people together. This competition offers a fantastic platform for towns in the East Midlands to showcase their unique identity, spark new ideas and unlock investment that can boost pride, participation and local economies.

“The East Midlands is interlinked by a rich network of towns, each with their own history and identity, from Glossop in the north-west, to Bingham in the south-east, from the Peak District to Sherwood Forest and everything in between.

“I urge communities from across our region to seize this moment, put their best foot forward, and show the nation what makes our towns places to be proud of.”

Renowned TV producer Sir Phil Redmond – the man behind iconic shows such as Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks – will lead an expert panel assessing the towns on three main criteria:

• Your story – the unique story of the town;
• Culture for everyone – how the town will design a cultural programme for all ;
• Making it happen -  how the town will then deliver a successful programme.

The strongest bids will progress to a shortlist, with each shortlisted town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition.

Three finalists – one small, one medium, one large town – will be chosen. The winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028 and receive a £3 million prize. The two runners-up will each receive £250,000 to deliver elements of their bid, from refreshed community infrastructure to electric music festivals.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest for UK Town of Culture 2028 is 31st March 2026, with the shortlist of towns expected to be announced this Spring.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “There is so much for us to be proud of in the towns we’re from – from the rich, local history to unique festivals and celebrations. They have shaped our national story for decades. Now it’s time they take centre stage and showcase the unique stories they have to tell.  

“We have seen the transformative power of culture through the UK City of Culture competition. I want to make sure that towns have the same opportunity to make a real difference to their local community and show the world exactly why their town is so special.”

This competition is is part of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s ambition to restore pride in every part of Britain as he serves the whole of the country.

Sir Phil said: “In the past, it has been hard to adequately demonstrate the depth, breadth and diversity of the UK’s cultural landscape through the UK City of Culture’s urban lens. 

“The two competitions will complement each other while providing more opportunities for more places to both demonstrate and celebrate that creativity is not confined to the great urban concert halls, theatres or galleries. It is in everything we do together. In every town, village, neighbourhood, street or road. 

“UK Town of Culture asks what makes your town special? What makes its people proud to be there? And why should that be celebrated?”

For more information on how to bid for the UK Town of Culture 2028 title, click here.