What a summer it's been! The City of Culture shortlisting reflects everything I've seen in Blackpool

Blackpool has been praised by the Government’s Minister for Place after being shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2029, with Stephanie Peacock MP saying the resort should be proud of how far it has come in the competition.

The Minister for Place at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said Blackpool’s cultural heritage, major attractions and ambitious plans had helped its bid stand out among 17 places that entered the competition.

Blackpool is now one of four finalists, alongside Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham, competing for the title, which comes with a £10 million government grant to support a year-long celebration of arts and culture in 2029.

Ms Peacock, who visited Blackpool in August, said the town’s bid reflected what she had heard from residents and businesses during her visit.

“What a summer it's been for Blackpool. I came to visit it in August and spoke to so many people about what makes it special and why the rest of the country should sit up and take notice. Now the judges have too: Blackpool has made the shortlist for the 2029 UK City of Culture.

“The bid tells a story I recognise from my visit: Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the Winter Gardens bringing major West End tours to the seafront, and Showtown, the UK's first museum dedicated to seaside entertainment. Add in the Blackpool Illuminations, which turn 150 in 2029 and still pull in crowds from right across the country, and it's easy to see why this bid stood out.

“It was a tough field. Seventeen places entered this competition, nine made the longlist, and Blackpool is one of just four left standing. That alone comes with a guarantee of at least £125,000 to take forward some elements of the bid. The big prize, though, is £10 million, for a year of cultural celebration that tells Blackpool's story to the whole country.

“Winning changes places. Look at Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford: each has pulled in millions in extra investment, thousands of visitors, and new jobs on the back of their win. But I'd say this to Blackpool now, win or not: you've already gained from this process. Time and again, places that enter this competition come out the other side with a sharper cultural strategy, stronger partnerships, and regenerated venues that the whole community can use, whatever the judges eventually decide.

“The judging panel will be in Blackpool soon, to see the bid’s vision in person, meet the people behind it, and visit some of the venues that made the case so compelling. I will be visiting all the shortlisted places and I can’t wait to hear more about all the work that has gone into Blackpool’s bid for the competition.

“You should be proud of how far you've come. This is exactly what the Prime Minister means by building pride in place: giving people the chance to see their own community reflected back at them in the national story, and to shape it themselves. Blackpool is already doing that. Good luck for the rest of the competition.”

Judges to visit Blackpool

The City of Culture Expert Advisory Panel will visit all four shortlisted places to see their bids in person, meet those involved and tour venues supporting their proposals. The winner is expected to be announced early next year.

Blackpool Council submitted an Expression of Interest to DCMS in January, followed by a full bid in August. The bid was developed with Creative Blackpool, an Arts Council England place partnership-funded development group.

Since the shortlist was announced, almost 30,000 people from across the country, including celebrities and businesses, have joined the campaign to secure the title for Blackpool.

The UK City of Culture title would bring a £10 million government grant to fund a year-long cultural programme in 2029. The plans aim to create jobs and opportunities across the Fylde coast, boost tourism and attract further funding, sponsorship and investment to support regeneration and events.