Shortlist for City of Culture 2025 announced and Cornwall misses out
The final four are Bradford, County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough
Last updated 19th Mar 2022
Cornwall will not be the UK City of Culture in 2025 after failing to make the final shortlist for the accolade and the announcement that Cornwall’s bid had failed has been met with sadness and disappointment.
There had been hopes that Cornwall might be able to secure the prestigious status after submitting its bid to be City of Culture, however the Department for Culture Media and Sport announced on Friday night that Cornwall would not be in the final four.
Instead the department has decided to take forward bids from Bradford, County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham.
The winning location is able to access millions in investment to help support cultural sectors, improve facilities and hold events.
Whilst the decision has been met with disappointment in Cornwall by those who had drawn up the bid and supported it, there has been widespread recognition that it has given the culture sector a boost with an opportunity to showcase what is happening in Cornwall.
And the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said that it would be continuing to provide £1million of funding for the cultural sector in the Duchy.
LEP Chief Executive Glenn Caplin-Grey said: "We’re disappointed of course but getting as far as we did is a huge vote of confidence in the quality and value of Cornwall’s cultural and creative sector, and the very act of bidding has allowed us to showcase some of the brilliant things that are happening in Cornwall and to plan for the future.
"What we’ve shown is that Cornwall is a UK powerhouse when it comes to creative industries and that the sector can be a real catalyst for economic growth. That’s why we are pressing ahead with our £1m investment programme, and we will be working closely with the sector to develop that.
"I’d just like to thank all our cultural and creative industries, local communities, businesses and all our MPs who rallied around our bid and played a vital role in getting as far as we did. There is a real opportunity to build on the work we have done and continue to use culture to celebrate all that makes Cornwall great, challenge perceptions and grow our economy".
The bid to become City of Culture had been supported by Cornwall’s six Conservative MPs.
Truro and Falmouth MP Cherilyn Mackrory said: "This is disappointing news. Cornwall put forward such a strong bid. Bidding for the City of Culture title has shown to have a very positive impact, bringing together enduring partnerships to share a vision for an area and attract investment.
"I will continue to work with Cornwall Council and the team behind Cornwall’s bid to ensure Cornwall does everything it can to promote our arts, culture and heritage moving forward".
St Austell and Newquay MP Steve Double added: "Obviously I am very disappointed that the independent panel has chosen not to proceed to short-list Cornwall’s bid for the UK City of Culture 2025. I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard on the bid, which was a very strong one, in a very competitive field.
"Cornwall, with its unique and special culture and heritage will continue to be an outstanding and attractive destination for both UK and international tourists and I will certainly continue to promote and champion all our Duchy has to offer".
Responding to the announcement Cornwall Council, which had also supported the bid, said: "Although we are disappointed not to make the shortlist, we are proud of our bid and the process has been very successful at showcasing Cornwall’s great cultural offer and our creative industries.
"We are also very proud of the way we’ve engaged with all parts of the community and used the bid to start conversations which haven’t happened before. We will now continue to work with our communities to ensure the work we have begun continues to showcase Cornwall’s amazing cultural offer".