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Plans for the next stage of Birkenhead's battle to become the UK's first Town of Culture have been detailed, following the town securing a top 15 spot on the national list.
Birkenhead is one of a few towns whittled down from almost 400 who expressed interest in the competition. It is the only town in both the Liverpool City Region and the North West to reach the final shortlist.
The lucky winner will receive £3 million to deliver a year's worth of cultural events in 2028, with the programme designed to increase participation in local culture while supporting regeneration and the local economy.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, an update on the bid was given to Wirral Council's Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee by Craig Pennington, co-founder and chief executive of Future Yard on Argyle Street, who is leading the submission on behalf of the Birkenhead Culture Partnership.
Mr Pennington said the town's initial application presented Birkenhead in an "unapologetically optimistic" way.
He told councillors: "We are after all the other place, the town on the left bank, the dark side, and the place where interesting things happen."
He also encouraged people to rethink the way they see Birkenhead, saying that instead of looking across the Mersey towards Liverpool's skyline from Woodside, "now is the moment to turn the camera around" and focus on what Birkenhead has to offer.
The proposed vision for a successful 2028 programme is centred around four themes:
The Big Weird Outdoors - This focuses on large-scale outdoor events in locations like Birkenhead Park and well-known public spaces.
Making It Ours - Aims to encourage participation in culture activites while strengthening local and civic pride.
The Left Bank After Dark - Focusing on Birkenhead's night-time economy, so presumably nightlife, like local pubs and bars, although this hasn't been confirmed.
The House That Shouldn't Exist - Champions Birkenhead's reputation and history of cheering on 'outsider art' where Ron's Place has been cited as an example. For now, Ron's Place is closed to the public.
To illustrate the potential impact of the award, Mr Pennington pointed to Derry/Londonderry, the first UK City of Culture in 2013. Although the schemes are different, he said the city provides "an interesting benchmark of opportunity."
He said Derry/Londonderry, with a similar population to Birkenhead, generated around £97m during its City of Culture year. Around 81% of residents took part in cultural activities, while tourism increased by 19% after the programme ended.
Following its place on the shortlist, Wirral Council will receive £60,000 from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to develop Birkenhead's expression of interest into a full bid.
The Birkenhead Culture Partnership will establish a board to oversee the next phase of the application and decide how the funding will be used to strengthen the submission.
Full bids are due to be submitted in the autumn. The successful Town of Culture is expected to be announced early next year.
