Dancing at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom (Image: Getty)
A UK seaside town is ambitiously aiming to become the UK Town of Culture AND UK City of Culture … despite not even being a city. Blackpool is exploring the idea of bidding to host two different year-long arts celebrations – as UK City of Culture 2029 and UK Town of Culture 2028.
While not technically a city, Blackpool is the 45th largest place in the UK, with a population of 141,500 and a visitor economy valued at £2bn, which meets the bidding criteria for both competitions. Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Being named as the UK City or Town of Culture would make the country realise just what a wonderful place we live in.”
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The town’s council, working with the Arts Council England ‘Place Partnership Fund’-enabled body called ‘Creative Blackpool Development Group’, is reviewing both bids with a view to submitting what is known as an ‘Expression of Interest’.
If a city or town’s ‘Expression of Interest’ in bidding for either year-long events is accepted, places will receive £60,000 to support the development of their bids.
Then – if successful in winning either event – Blackpool would receive £10m for City status or £3m for Town status from the government towards a yearlong celebration of arts and culture and to boost tourism.
While UK Town of Culture is a new competition, the City of Culture runs every four years and was previously held in Bradford in 2025.
When Bradford was City of Culture, they hosted over 1,000 events for local people and visitors to enjoy. The year was expected to create 6,500 new jobs, result in 3m additional visitors and add £140m to the local economy.
The two prestigious national competitions are led by the Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Cllr Williams added: “Blackpool is the birthplace of entertainment in the north.
“Our town grew around offering a cultural alternative to the smoke-filled cities of Manchester and Liverpool in the nineteenth century – 150 years later and that culture lives on in Blackpool more than most other places in the country.
“We boast a town that hosts magic conventions, light shows, drag artists, West End shows, museums and an art gallery, as well as three of the most ornate venues in the country: The Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Winter Gardens Opera House and Blackpool Grand Theatre.”
She went on: “Blackpool’s place in the country’s heritage is undeniable.
“We had ‘artificial electric sunshine’ in the resort 12 months before Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, the country’s oldest continuously operating tramway, the oldest roller coaster and the oldest operating theme park.
“To top it all off, 2029 will be the year that we celebrate 150 years of the UK’s most loved and original free light show – Blackpool Illuminations.
“People think they know Blackpool, but we are so much more than national headlines.
“It would also be a real opportunity to showcase the talent and creativity that we already have on our doorstep, making all our residents proud of our bold, vibrant and cultural town.”
Blackpool Central Pier (Image: Getty)
Blackpool’s relationship with culture is full of variety – from Showtown Museum that hails their iconic entertainment history, to the Grundy Art Gallery presenting contemporary UK work.
The town’s Winter Gardens has hosted the Royal Variety Performance three times (1955, 2009 and 2020) and continues to host events ranging from West End musicals to the World Dance Festival.
Over the years Blackpool has welcomed legendary performers including The Beatles and Frank Sinatra, while also being the home of Sooty.
Kate Shane MBE, Managing Director of Blackpool Tourism Ltd, added: “Securing this title, and the investment that comes with it, would open Blackpool up to entirely new audiences and give people fresh reasons to rediscover the most iconic seaside resort in the country.
“Our wonderful town already offers so much, but we must continue to create new, exciting and compelling reasons for people to visit. We are the perfect location to showcase culture, creativity and community spirit.”
In addition to the 150th anniversary of the Blackpool Illuminations, 2029 marks 135 years since the opening of The Blackpool Tower and the Blackpool Grand Theatre, while Blackpool Winter Gardens will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2028.
Adam Knight, Chief Executive of Blackpool Grand Theatre and Chair of the Creative Blackpool Development Group added: “Blackpool is a place where the extraordinary happens and individuality is celebrated.
“Here, our unique collection of cultural assets, vibrant communities, and rich cultural heritage forms the beating heart of a creative culture that shines brightly towards a sustainable future, attracting a wonderful mix of visitors and creatives, all drawn by the promise of world-class art and a spirit that encourages everyone to shine.
“The town’s bids to become the UK City and Town of Culture perfectly aligns with Creative Blackpool’s ambitious vision to be recognised as the UK’s Coastal Capital of Creativity, placing Blackpool firmly on the map as a centre of excellence and inspiration for all.”