Four Staffordshire towns have added their names to the mix of places hoping to become the first UK Town of Culture.
With expressions of interest closing on Tuesday (31 March), Daily Focus highlights those in our county hoping to secure £3 million to deliver a cultural programme in 2028.
Burton upon Trent
It is known for its brewing but there’s plenty of culture in Burton with lots of ongoing work in the town.
The Old Brewery Quarter development could see the Bass House site turned into a major heritage destination, while a new Washlands Visitor Centre will enhance the area with wildlife exhibits, new boardwalks and trails focussed on increasing green tourism.
And last year’s Sonic Boom Festival drew thousands of music fans into the town.
Councillor Paul Walker, cabinet member for tourism and cultural development at East Staffordshire Borough Council, said: “Burton’s bid for UK Town of Culture builds on so much fantastic work already happening in the town, from our enhanced Washlands and the growing success of the Sonic Boom Festival, to the transformation of our historic spaces through the Old Brewery Quarter regeneration.
“Culture sits at the heart of our community, and this is our chance to showcase that story and share Burton’s character with the rest of the country.”
Leek
Known as Queen of the Staffordshire Moorlands, the market town’s cultural identity is shaped by its historic roots including its silk industry heritage and strong connection to the arts and crafts movement.
Jon Phipps, trustee at the Foxlowe Arts Centre, which is leading the town’s bid, said: “Leek’s story could be distilled into Moorlands, markets and mills.
“But it is also the story of the little town whose cultural impact punches above its weight: the legend of St Gawain and the Green Knight, which sprang from our jagged gritstone outcrops; our thriving Wednesday markets, going back 800 years; the townscape dominated by brooding silk mills.
“The town is characterised by restless creativity and energy. Leek resident James Brindley, the world’s first superstar engineer; William Morris worked with our premier dyer Thomas Wardle to develop the Raven Black dye, beloved of Queen Victoria.
“This creativity is continued today by a strong community sector, and a tradition of volunteering and collaboration. We don’t wait for things to happen…we get on and do it. Witness the growing number of cultural festivals, indoor and outdoor markets, independent shops and cafes.
“Our cultural programme will unleash local creativity, whether people work in hard sandstone or the softness of silk, pastoral choral singing or modern electronica. And let’s celebrate our contribution to wider UK culture, from the Arts & Crafts movement to performances via Virtual Reality.”
Longton, Stoke-on-Trent
Ceramics play a big part in Longton’s story, with Gladstone Pottery Museum being home to the Great British Throw Down. But the ‘Neck End’ of the Potteries towns is also home to Trentham Brass Band, Stoke Male Voice Choir and countless dance schools which compete nationally. Urban Wilderness’s heritage Pig Walk Parade is made by over 500 volunteers and attracts an audience of 30,000.
Isla Telford from Urban Wilderness CIC, leading the bid, says: “Creativity is Longton’s superpower. There’s lots of problems, but there’s culture in every corner.”
BAFTA award actor Toby Jones, who is an ambassador for Longton’s UK Town of Culture bid, added: “I have known and visited Longton all my life. My father dreamed of becoming an actor playing on Churchfield Avenue in the 1930s. Now I’m proud to support the celebration of this resilient and welcoming community as they bid to share their creative spirit and extraordinary inheritance with the wider world.”
The bid team say that Longton winning the UK Town of Culture would be an investment in a generation. People aged 14 to 30 will learn life-changing skills as they experience every level of delivery of the ambitious six-month long Town of Culture programme.
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Newcastle-under-Lyme boasts award-winning jewels with a culture of art and innovation which dates back centuries.
The Brampton Museum features over 2,000 years of borough history, while Apedale Heritage Centre offers underground mine tours and the New Vic Theatre is Europe’s first purpose-built theatre-in-the-round and one of the country’s most successful producing theatres.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: “Newcastle-under-Lyme absolutely ticks all the boxes for the UK Town of Culture bid. Our rich heritage, strong sense of community and long-standing culture of creativity make us exactly the kind of place this competition is designed to celebrate.
“We already have award-winning cultural assets and a vibrant arts scene, but this bid is about much more than that – it’s about telling our unique story on a national stage and building on our civic pride. Crucially, it also complements our wider regeneration programme, where culture is a key ingredient in driving renewal, attracting investment and creating thriving, inclusive places.
“A successful bid would bring significant opportunities, from increased tourism to wider access to arts and culture for our residents, while creating a lasting legacy that benefits our communities for years to come.”
- The UK Town of Culture aims to celebrate significant contributions towns have contributed to the national story.
- As well as the £3 million main prize, two finalists will each receive £250,000.
- Shortlisted towns will be announced this Spring and will be awarded £60,000 to support them with developing a full application.
- A panel will visit the shortlisted places with a winner expected to be announced early next year.
