City of Culture: A win for ABC Council is a win for all of of NI
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough is down to the last eight in the competition
Last updated 4th Mar 2022
ABC's Bid Manager, Amberlea Neely said that winning UK City of Culture 2025 would be a win for the 'whole of Northern Ireland'.
At a Showcase Event at Stormont this week, key stakeholders backing the bid heard how it would be 'transformative for the society and economy' here.
It also focuses on 'enhancing existing cultural provision as well as developing new arts, economic and digital infrastructure to engage and excite more people.'
Speaking to Downtown Radio and Cool FM, Ms Neely detailed what securing the title would mean.
"It is from the Borough but it's for the whole of Northern Ireland," she said.
"One of the main things we are hoping to the change is the investment in Arts here, it is significantly lower than the rest of the UK and the south of Ireland."
The council area is down to the last eight in the competition and finds itself up against some tough opposition such as Cornwall and Southampton.
However, Ms Neely believes ABC has all the qualities to win.
"The city of Armagh is the Georgian jewel, it was the first city in Ireland," she said.
"Then you have Craigavon, which is a 1960's 'new town' and then Banbridge, which is a bustling market town.
"You really have something for everybody there."
The last Northern Irish destination to win the competition was Derry-Londonderry, back in 2013.
This year's winner will be announced at the beginning of May.
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