Today the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) officially announced Blackpool has been shortlisted as one of the final four places to be named UK City of Culture 2029.
Blackpool will now compete with Wrexham, Sheffield and Milton Keynes to win the accolade, which would mean a £10M, year-long celebration of arts and culture for local people to enjoy, creating new jobs and opportunities across the Fylde coast.
Being crowned City of Culture could be transformative for the town, with countless leading figures in the town backing the bid alongside a raft of celebrities.
Check out some of the top names who have backed Blackpool’s bid below...
32. 24/01/2020 - Lynne Youle I can confirm that the images Elena provided can be used for Steve’s self promotion/ speaking engagements/ press enquiries/ websites etc and the Credit is: True to Nature Ltd.
Naturalist, explorer, presenter and writer Steve Backshall
33. Patrick Hurley, the Labour MP for Southport, speaking to the media in Southport last summer (James Speakman/PA)
Patrick Hurley, the Labour MP for Southport
35. Andy MacNae has been declared as the new Labour MP for Rossendale and Darwen.
Andy MacNae MP for Rossendale and Darwen | Andy MacNae
36. Stephen Mulhern after accepting an award on behalf of Ant and Dec at the National Television Awards in 2022 (Ian West/PA)
TV presenter Stephen Mulhern