Four places shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2029

Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham have been shortlisted for the UK City of Culture 2029 title, with each set to receive at least £125,000 to develop its bid, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said. The four were selected from a longlist of nine. The eventual winner will receive a £10 million prize fund to support a year of cultural events and activities. The title is awarded every four years and is currently held by Bradford. The shortlisted places were recommended by the UK City of Culture Expert Advisory Panel, chaired by Sir Phil Redmond. The panel is expected to visit each contender before the final decision. The winner is due to be announced in early 2027, according to the department. Bids were asked to set out how culture could help transform communities by supporting growth, opportunities and local pride. The other longlisted applicants were Inverness, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Swindon. The shortlist includes three places in England and one in Wales. Wrexham’s bid chair, Joanna Knight, said the city hoped to become the first Welsh place to hold the title. She described the shortlist as an opportunity to present Wrexham’s story and...