Blackpool stakes it claim on the national stage with culture bids

Blackpool is exploring the possibility of bidding for the UK City of Culture 2029 and UK Town of Culture 2028.

The council, working with the Arts Council England place partnership funded Creative Blackpool development group, is reviewing both bids with a view to submitting an Expression of Interest.

If successful in its bid, Blackpool would receive £10m for City status or £3m for Town status from the government towards a yearlong celebration of arts and culture, for local people to enjoy, as well as increasing the tourism economy and creating new jobs.

Councillor Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Blackpool is the birthplace of entertainment in the north.

"Our town grew around offering a cultural alternative to the smoke-filled cities of Manchester and Liverpool in the nineteenth century.

 “150 years later and that culture lives on in Blackpool more than most other places in the country.

"We boast a town that hosts magic conventions, light shows, drag artists, West End shows, museums and an art gallery, as well as three of the most ornate venues in the country in The Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Winter Gardens Opera House and Blackpool Grand Theatre.

“Blackpool’s place in the country’s heritage is undeniable. We had 'artificial electric sunshine' in the resort 12 months before Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, and we are home to the country’s oldest rollercoaster, the oldest operating theme park, and the oldest continuously operating tramway.

“To top it all off, 2029 will be the year that we celebrate 150 years of the UK’s most loved and original free light show – Blackpool Illuminations.

“People think they know Blackpool, but we are so much more than national headlines.

"Being named as the UK City or Town of Culture would make the country realise just what a wonderful place we live in. It would also be a real opportunity to showcase the talent and creativity that we already have on our doorstep, making all our residents proud of our bold, vibrant and cultural town.”

Blackpool’s relationship with culture is full of variety. From Showtown Museum, which celebrates the town’s iconic history, to the Grundy Art Gallery a National Portfolio Organisation presenting contemporary work from national partners alongside talent rooted in Blackpool itself.

In entertainment, Blackpool’s Winter Gardens has hosted the Royal Variety Performance three times in its history (1955, 2009 and 2020) and continues to host events ranging from West End musicals to the World Dance Festival. The town itself has welcomed legendary performers including The Beatles and Frank Sinatra, while also being the home of Sooty.

Kate Shane MBE, managing director of Blackpool Tourism Ltd, added: “Securing this title, and the investment that comes with it, would open Blackpool up to entirely new audiences and give people fresh reasons to rediscover the most iconic seaside resort in the country.

“Our wonderful town already offers so much, but we must continue to create new, exciting and compelling reasons for people to visit.

“We are the perfect location to showcase culture, creativity and community spirit.”

In addition to the 150th anniversary of the Blackpool Illuminations, 2029 marks 135 years since the opening of The Blackpool Tower and the Blackpool Grand Theatre, while Blackpool Winter Gardens will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2028.

Adam Knight, chief executive of Blackpool Grand Theatre and chair of the Creative Blackpool Development Group added: “Blackpool is a place where the extraordinary happens and individuality is celebrated.

“Here, our unique collection of cultural assets, vibrant communities, and rich cultural heritage forms the beating heart of a creative culture shines brightly towards a sustainable future, attracting a wonderful mix of visitors and creatives, all drawn by the promise of world-class art and a spirit that encourages everyone to shine.

“The town’s bids to become the UK City and Town of Culture perfectly aligns with Creative Blackpool’s ambitious vision to be recognised as the UK’s Coastal Capital of Creativity, placing Blackpool firmly on the map as a centre of excellence and inspiration for all.”

The two prestigious national competitions are led by the Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Whilst UK Town of Culture is a new competition, the City of Culture runs every four years and was previously held in Bradford in 2025. During that year they hosted over 1,000 events for local people and visitors to enjoy. The year was expected to create 6,500 new jobs, resulted 3m additional visitors and add £140m to the local economy.

While not technically a city, Blackpool is the 45th largest place in the UK, with a population of 141,500 and a visitor economy valued at £2bn, which meets the bidding criteria for both competitions.

If the Expression of Interest is accepted, places will receive £60,000 to support the development of their bids.

The competition has a strong track record of unlocking long-term cultural, social and economic benefits for places, helping to drive regeneration, civic pride and inclusive growth.

Creative Blackpool has spent the past three years shaping a new Cultural Strategy that sets out a bold vision for 2030: for the town to be recognised as the UK’s Coastal Capital of Creativity.

Building on more than 150 years as a national centre of entertainment, the strategy and Place Partnership programme (being delivered until December 2027) aims to harness Blackpool’s vibrant communities, rich cultural heritage and strong creative sector to drive a new era of cultural growth.

By bringing together the town’s creative leaders and cross-sector partners, the approach will unlock long-term investment, support world-class artistic production and strengthen Blackpool’s position as an inspiring place to live, work and visit.

Blackpool is entering a major phase of regeneration, underpinned by a £2bn Growth and Prosperity programme and substantial UK government investment.

This transformation creates the ideal conditions for culture to play a central role in shaping the town’s future.

With new funding enabling a step change in cultural activity, Blackpool is poised to embed creativity into everyday life, building a legacy that is vibrant, inclusive and distinctly its own.

As the town continues its wider renaissance, culture is positioned to drive long-term investment and strengthen community pride — putting it in a strong position to pursue these years of culture opportunities.