Wakefield launching bid for UK City of Culture 2025
The district is submitting a bid to rival on already put together by Bradford
Wakefield is launching a bid to be named the UK City of Culture in 2025.
If successful, it would see the city and the district follow in the footsteps of Hull in hosting a year of cultural events.
Council bosses hope it will bring new jobs, investment and opportunities to the region and have a long term impact on tourism.
Coventry was named the third UK City of Culture for 2021, while Chelmsford, Lancashire and Southampton are amongst the bidders for 2025, along with local rivals Bradford.
Wakefield's bid will look to build on some of the attractions already in the area, including the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, National Coal Mining Museum and Hepworth gallery.
Several regeneration projects are underway in the city, including the renovation of Rutland Mills and Castleford Mill.
Wakefield Council, which is submitting the bid alongside local cultural organisations, also wants to inspire a 'new generation of entrepreneurs, sporting heroes, digital dynamos and creative champions'
Council Leader, Cllr Denise Jeffery, said:
"We want to put Wakefield on the map as a lead cultural destination across the country and beyond. We want to share with the public, region and world what Wakefield has to offer.
“Our bid will be a truly collaborative effort, working closely with the cultural businesses and organisations that make our city and district great.
“We know this is an ambitious bid given the Government have only recently changed the criteria which enables places like Wakefield and the wider district to bid.
“We hope this bid will bring long-term benefits to people across the district, from our wonderful city to our many thriving towns such as Pontefract, Horbury, South Elmsall and Ossett.
It will help us to attract more visitors and investment into the district, boost jobs, increase skills and business opportunities and creating even more exciting opportunities to take part in arts and cultural activities.
“That is why we are not seeing this as a one-shot opportunity for City of Culture, but rather as a chance to develop a compelling year of culture which we hope to deliver regardless of the outcome of the bid."
Bradford has put together its own City of Culture bid for 2025.