'No one can beat Blackpool' - Chris Webb MP bullish on resort's City of Culture odds despite Wrexham threat

Blackpool South MP Chris Webb has declared ‘no one can beat Blackpool’ after the seaside resort was named one of four places shortlisted to become UK City of Culture 2029.

The town is competing against Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham for the prestigious title, which could bring significant investment, increased access to cultural activities and new job opportunities to the area.

Mr Webb said he was ‘over the moon’ at the announcement, praising the team behind Blackpool’s bid and expressing confidence that the town would win the competition.

“It was a fantastic bid brought together by Blackpool Council, Lynn Williams, Scott Butterfield, the team at Creative Blackpool, and all our fantastic businesses, venues, and organizations here in the town,” said the MP for Blackpool South.

“Lorraine and I have been proud to steer and push this as much as we can down in Westminster and beyond, and this has been a real team effort and something that Blackpool's proud of. So I know we can win it. I told all the other MPs, it's great they're on the shortlist, but they're going to be runners-up. We're taking home the prize. No one can beat Blackpool.

“We've got the heritage, we've got the culture, we've got the passion, but also the vision for the next generation to access this. And what I love about the bid and what we've seen in it so far is that legacy is there.

“It's about making sure the next generation - my son, and hopefully my grandchildren, great-grandchildren - get access to that culture and heritage that we've seen in the past [which] my grandparents and great-grandparents experienced here. It's bringing the town together. It's huge positivity.

“I know there's some issues where people say, oh well, we're not a city, [but] we are a proud seaside town [and] I want that to remain. But we've applied for this, and the council and Creative Blackpool have spearheaded this because we're eligible with the population size for that big money prize. So you go big, go big or go home.

“And it ties in with the Illuminations 150th anniversary, so all the pieces of the jigsaw are starting to [fit] right. And I know we're going to take this home.”

Wrexham challenge

Asked whether he was worried about any of the other shortlisted contenders, Mr Webb acknowledged Wrexham’s international profile but said Blackpool had its own star power and cultural credentials.

“I wouldn't say worried. Wrexham obviously have got international recognition now with the football club - what they've done there has been brilliant. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney; we know that'll be a tough one because they can bring some star power, but we've got star power here as well.

“We know there's fantastic people from Blackpool that have gone on to do amazing things around the world, but also people from around the UK that always come back to Blackpool and perform. And there's no better example of that than Peter Kay, who's ending his tour doing his charity gigs here. But we've just got to put through our vision, what we want to see