Here's how you can personally support Blackpool’s City of Culture 2029 bid

Yesterday was a landmark day for Blackpool and the wider Fylde coast.

We are one giant step closer to being named City of Culture 2029 after making the shortlist of just four.

We've now got to 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.

Since Blackpool announced its desire to run for City of Culture I have personally had my eyes opened to how culturally rich we are.

It feels like culture is everywhere you look and the outpouring of love and support towards the bid has been staggering.

More than 30,000 people from across the country, including leading celebrities and businesses, have joined the call for Blackpool to be awarded the title. And I am proud to say it has my full support and I hope it has yours too!

I think Blackpool Council leader, Cllr Lynn Williams summed up Blackpool’s position perfectly: “Blackpool has never needed to be told how to put on a show. We’ve been entertaining people for generations, and now we have the chance to show the country exactly what our town is made of.”

And we must now do just that.

Getting the bid together has taken many hours of work from people and organisations across the resort.

They have done an amazing job to get us this far and we must now all do our bit to help get this fantastic opportunity across the line.

Previous winners Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford have shown the vast benefits of winning the prestigious title, which include attracting millions of pounds in additional investment to help boost regeneration.

Each shortlisted place is now guaranteed to receive at least £125,000 to take forward elements of their bid, with one place ultimately going on to take the title and a prize fund of £10million.

I personally have everything crossed for Blackpool and hope when the final winner is announced in early 2027 it goes our way!

If you're team Blackpool too - please help us keep the momentum up by backing Blackpool's bid here 👉 www.blackpool2029.co.uk