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Birkenhead is up for a prestigious title - to be named the UK's first Town of Culture. According to the BBC, our town has been shortlisted on a 15-town list. The exciting cultural development was announced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Birko is among a diverse group of towns across the UK competing for the prestigious title. These include: Basildon, Grimsby, Rotherham, Pontypridd, and Great Yarmouth. Almost 400 towns submitted applications, but just 15 made it through.
As a reward for being shortlisted, Birkenhead will receive £60,000 in funding to develop a full bid ahead of when each town will be judged. A panel will select three finalists next year, and one will win the UK Town of Culture 2028.
The winner of the cultural award will receive a staggering £3 million to develop a year-long programme of cultural events. Those who snag second and third place will each get £250,000 to support their own cultural programmes.
The new competition and award aims to celebrate UK towns by recognising how culture can bring communities together, attract visitors and encourage more investment. Bids will be judged on how they tell original stories of the area, how they showcase local identity, and how they create lasting benefits for residents. The towns are divided by population, with small towns being under 20,000, medium towns from 20,000-75,000, and large towns over 75,000.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the number of applications reflected the pride people have in their towns.
She said: "The fact that we received so many applications just goes to show how proud people are of their towns.
"When I launched this competition, I wanted to shine a light on our amazing towns all across the UK and the huge contribution they make to our national life," she added.
The Town of Culture competition will run alongside the UK City of Culture programme, with previous City of Culture winners including Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford. Liverpool was previously named the European Capital of Culture in 2003.
