Blackpool has so much to be proud of, I’m glad we believed in our town, council leader on City of Culture
As Blackpool learns it has been shortlisted for City of Culture, Blackpool Council leader Councillor Lynn Williams talks why we should be proud of the resort and how she is glad she ‘believed in it’.
When we first started talking about putting Blackpool forward for UK City of Culture 2029, I had real confidence in our town and what we could achieve. I believed in our people, our creativity and everything that makes Blackpool special. Seeing us now shortlisted we were right to go for it.
Part of that confidence comes from the privilege I have of being responsible for Tourism, Arts and Culture at the Council. I get to see first-hand the passion, talent and imagination that exists across Blackpool. I meet our creatives, see the work our artists are doing and see what happens when people get the chance to take part in culture.
I’ve seen the difference it can make, particularly for our young people. Getting involved in an arts project, performing on a stage, making something themselves or even visiting a gallery can open up new possibilities. It can build confidence, bring enjoyment, create friendships and start conversations that might never otherwise have happened. It can encourage people to see things differently, including how they see themselves and the place they live.
I want everyone in Blackpool to have the opportunities and experiences that I have been fortunate enough to witness. That’s a big part of why this bid matters to me. Culture shouldn’t be something that feels out of reach or is just for other people. It belongs to all of us.
Our People’s Stage concert was an incredible example of that. The talent on stage, the atmosphere and the pride in Blackpool made it a really special evening. Bringing world-class artists together with local performers, in front of an audience who care passionately about our town, showed exactly what Blackpool is capable of.
As John Robb said on the night, it was a civic statement. I think he was absolutely right.
I also want to recognise everyone who has helped get us to this point. Council staff, artists, creatives, cultural organisations and partners across the Council and the town have all played their part. So many people have given their time, energy and ideas because they believe in Blackpool. This shortlist is a real team effort, and everyone involved should be proud.
It’s also really important to me that people can enjoy culture without worrying about whether they can afford it. I don’t believe the opportunity to experience great art, music and creativity should depend on how much money you have in your pocket. That’s why I’ve been determined to make sure Blackpool people can enjoy places like Showtown for free, see incredible exhibitions at the Grundy, including work by artists like Claude Monet, without paying an entrance fee, and experience world-class performers at events like The People’s Stage for just a small booking fee. These are experiences that can cost a considerable amount elsewhere, but here in Blackpool we want them to be accessible to our people. That’s what culture should be about, opening doors, creating opportunities and making sure everyone feels it’s for them.
For me, this bid has always been about much more than winning a title. It’s about the people of Blackpool and the opportunities we can create for them. It’s about inspiring our young people, supporting local talent, attracting investment and making sure our town gets the recognition it deserves.
We have a proud working-class culture and a wonderful history of entertainment, music and performance. Creativity has always been part of Blackpool's identity. We have never stood still, and we should never underestimate what we have to offer.
Of course, we know there are still real challenges. Many residents are struggling with the cost of living, and there is plenty of work to do to improve opportunities and people’s lives.
But those challenges should never define our town or overshadow the talent, determination and potential of the people who live here.
I want us to be ambitious for our town and confident about its future. Being shortlisted gives us a fantastic opportunity to build on the work already taking place and create a cultural legacy that benefits local people long after 2029.
I’m incredibly proud of how far we have come, and grateful to everyone who has helped us get here.
I believed in Blackpool when we first considered this bid, because I had seen for myself what our town and its people could do. I want more people to have the chance to experience that creativity, that confidence and that sense of possibility.
There really is nowhere like our town. We have every reason to be proud of who we are, and every reason to believe in what we can achieve together.