Appeal to shape Morecambe's UK Town of Culture bid

Local people are being invited to help shape a bid for Morecambe to be named UK
Town of Culture in 2028.

The partnership of local arts, creative and heritage organisations have come together to support the development of the bid.

Organisations representing this partnership, Morecambe Winter Gardens, Deco Publique and More Music, are seeking thoughts and ideas from residents as plans to submit an application to the competition continue.

A drop-in session will be held at Morecambe Library from 2–4pm on Monday 23
March for anyone interested in finding out more and sharing their views.

Ideas are also being gathered through an online portal which can be found on More Music’s website.

Marianne Barraclough, executive director at More Music said: “We have already
begun engaging with a wide range of organisations across the area, from education and young people to health and wellbeing, as well as arts, culture and community partners.

"These early conversations are revealing exciting narratives about Morecambe’s identity, strengths and future potential, alongside a genuine shared commitment to the town and a willingness to contribute to the bid.

"It is encouraging to see the UK Town of Culture 2028 ambition already being shaped by residents, community groups, artists and local organisations.

"This stage is focused on gathering insight, understanding priorities and developing a proposal that genuinely reflects our town’s identity and ambitions.

"By having these open conversations and local input, we are laying the groundwork for a bid rooted in shared purpose.”

UK Town of Culture is a newly launched national initiative, with the first title set to be awarded for 2028.

The partnership’s ambition is to develop a proposal that reflects the energy, diversity and creativity of Morecambe, grounded in local values.

This next stage is about widening that conversation and ensuring residents are at the heart of shaping what comes next.

If you are unable to attend the drop-in event but would like to share your thoughts
and ideas for the programme, please visit More Music’s website to access the online ideas portal.

It comes after Lancashire Business View reported in January that Blackpool was exploring the possibility of bidding for the UK City of Culture 2029 and UK Town of Culture 2028.

Chorley was the first place in Lancashire to declare that it will bid to become the UK’s inaugural Town of Culture in the same month.