Lancashire City of Culture 2025 set to evolve

By Ged Henderson

08 Oct 2021

Lancashire’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2025 is looking to “evolve in purpose and direction” after it was announced the county had not made it through to the final stage of the process.

The Lancashire 2025 bid team has been driven by a strategic partnership of local councils, the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and has been working for almost three years to put the county and its culture firmly on the map.

Tony Attard, who chairs L2025 and Marketing Lancashire, said: “We are naturally disappointed at not making it to the final stage but to have got the bid this far is testament to the hard work and vision of all those involved.

“The process of bidding has already left a legacy, bringing regional and national media attention to the county, and we intend to build on that profile. We also believe that Lancashire’s bid was the catalyst for DCMS to broaden the guidelines for the UK City of Culture competition, encouraging counties and groups of towns to bid.

“We are so grateful to all the stakeholders that have supported us on this journey. The connections made will not go to waste and the enthusiasm harnessed will bring other opportunities moving forward.

“Lancashire is a richly diverse community and deserves recognition to promote its amazing array of arts and culture. We have new partnerships in place to increase collaboration and drive greater engagement, and we have an online community platform ready to launch to help take the conversation forwards. This is the beginning, not the end. We have begun a significant journey and now we need to see where that takes us.”

Earlier this year it looked like Lancashire would pull out of the race after the county council said it could no longer underwrite its bid. However an official expression of interest was made in July this year.

The bid has been driven by a strategic partnership between Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Preston, the LEP and UCLan.

The Lancashire team has been developing a “virtual city” vision, with businesses and communities across the county urged to get involved. The aim has been to produce an “ambitious, inclusive cultural programme”.

The UK City of Culture 2025 bid is being delivered by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It says the competition will use culture as a “catalyst for levelling up areas outside London and put culture at the heart of their plans to recover from the impact of the pandemic.”

Coventry, the current UK City of Culture 2021, is expecting millions of additional visitors, the creation of 900 jobs and has secured more than £110m in additional investment over the 2018-22 period.

  • For further Lancashire business news, advice and analysis subscribe to Lancashire Business View or join the LBV Hub from just £2.50 per month. Click here to subscribe now.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

Chief executive of Blackpool Pleasure Beach gives views on Universal theme park coming to the UK Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Chief executive of Blackpool Pleasure Beach gives views on Universal theme park coming to the UK

09 Apr 2025

2

Duck Tales : Treasure of the community LBV_TMM_Lancashire.png.png

Duck Tales : Treasure of the community

09 Apr 2025

3

Trident return to power Net Zero Carbon Conference 2025 Net Zero Conference

Trident return to power Net Zero Carbon Conference 2025

08 Apr 2025

4

50 jobs to be created as Group55 announces further growth and expansion Stephen Turner Group 55

50 jobs to be created as Group55 announces further growth and expansion

08 Apr 2025

5

New chapter opens for Sundown after strategic sale Heath Groves

New chapter opens for Sundown after strategic sale

08 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Enhancing Your Workforce with CPD
LBV Hub Networking
08 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Enhancing Your Workforce with CPD

University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

13:15 - 14:15

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin