Blackpool City of Culture momentum gathers as Illuminations stars back the bid
Though they came from different worlds, all of the stars on Friday’s red carpet shared a common belief: their love for Blackpool and hopes for its future success.
Blackpool’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029 is gathering momentum after stars from Friday’s spectacular Illuminations Switch-On praised the town and backed its claim for the prestigious award.
Blackpool was dazzled last Friday by the stardom of global music superstars, world-famous tv personalities, senior politicians and beloved household names.
Though they came from different worlds, all of the stars on Friday’s red carpet shared a common belief: their love for Blackpool and hopes for its future success.
The City of Culture bid was the hottest topic amongst the VIPs, with all of the stars agreeing that Blackpool was deserving of the award.
Dan Gillepsie Sells, lead singer and frontman of the Feeling, said: “We’re here to support the bid, it would be amazing, and I think it’s a really good idea. The culture here is amazing, it’s unique.”
During a speech delivered at a VIP event ahead of the switch on, the ever-eccentric Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen told Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy she’d be ‘mad’ not to give Blackpool the City of Culture status.
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The TV star’s love for Blackpool is no secret, and he has been quick to sing the seaside’s praises in his role as Leading Designer and Curator of the Illuminations.
When asked by the Gazette about what makes the town so special, Llewelyn-Bowen said: “The culture is here. We don't need to transplant any culture into Blackpool. This is a culture that's entirely democratic.
“To me, Blackpool is where culture comes to take its bra off. It's all of that very stiff-upper-lip stuff that happens all over the rest of the country. We're a very pushy nation obsessed by what's posh. I love Blackpool because people can come here and be themselves.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy MP attended the Switch-On as a guest of local MP Chris Webb, and she described her childhood visits to the town from nearby Manchester and her love for Blackpool’s unique culture.
Speaking to the Gazette at the event, the Culture Secretary said: “I have such fond memories of this place, but it's not just nostalgic, it's also forward-looking because I come here all the time with my little boy. We go to the Pleasure Beach and we go to the Sandcastle, which is our favourite place in Blackpool. This town has so much going for it and I know it can do more.
“I think Blackpool has a really strong claim for City of Culture. I am completely impartial, but I think the bid that they've put together here is incredibly strong and I think what they're doing here is nothing short of inspirational, so I'm wishing them all the best.”
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Paddy McGuinness lamented fondly over his memories of ‘driving through the lights’ in his dad’s ‘little yellow Fiesta’, adding that he always enjoyed revisiting the town as an adult and performing at the iconic Winter Gardens.
With support for the town coming from some of the biggest names in the entertainment and political worlds, Blackpool’s bid is starting to gain momentum beyond the Fylde coast.
With the decision on a winner not expected until January 2027, all Blackpool can do for now is keep on shouting, keep on impressing, and wait.