Blackpool waiting with bated breath with shortlist decision on City of Culture 2029 expected imminently

Blackpool is currently waiting with bated breath to find out it the resort has made the shortlist for the prestigious City of Culture 2029 award.

A decision on the shortlist is expected imminently but, despite the Gazette contacting the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport for specifics, it remains unclear as to exactly when the announcement will be revealed, with a spokesperson from the department simply saying that more would be revealed ‘in due course’.

Blackpool is one of nine places across the UK in the running for the prestigious accolade, with the Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) also considering Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Swindon and Wrexham.

Despite the name of the competition, the City of Culture bid is open to large towns and regions which meet the new criteria. Blackpool, while not technically a city, is the 45th largest place in the UK, with a population of 141,500. The wider Fylde coast is home to more than 250,000 people, while Blackpool’s visitor economy is valued at £2bn.

If successful, Blackpool would receive £10m from the Government towards a year-long celebration of arts and culture, aimed at benefiting local people while also boosting tourism. The title can also bring additional funding, sponsorship and investment to support regeneration and events.

Blackpool Council Leader Lynn Williams says the financial benefit could be considerably greater than the initial £10m, pointing to Bradford, which secured a total budget of approximately £51m during its tenure as UK City of Culture 2025.

Winning the title does not provide a single lump-sum cash prize, but instead unlocks government grants, public funding packages and private sector investment.

A campaign supporting the bid is already live across the area, with residents and visitors encouraged to visit www.blackpool2029.co.uk to show their support.

Recently, Blackpool South MP Chris Webb declared the resort as the “clear winner” in the race for UK City of Culture 2029, urging the government to formally recognise the town’s cultural heritage, creative talent and community spirit with the title.

With the announcement of the shortlist expected soon, Mr Webb said he was confident in Blackpool’s chances, arguing that the bid offers an opportunity to challenge negative perceptions and showcase the town to the rest of the country.