Town's culture bid builds on 'links with invention'

Blackburn's bid to become the first UK Town of Culture would be inspired by the areas people, stories and creativity, an artist has said.

Thousands of towns have a chance for the title, with a prize of £3m to spend on a cultural programme, in a competition for the new honour in 2028.

A group, made up from the National Festival of Making, the British Textile Biennial and the Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery are shaping Blackburn's bid.

Artist Jamie Holman, from the partnership bid, said the proposal would build upon Blackburn's historic links with "invention and transformation".

There are several cultural hotspots in the Lancashire town already, the bidding group said, including the British Textile Biennial, new public art along its streets and the town's art gallery, the first purpose-built museum outside of London, which recently celebrated its 150th anniversary.

Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Phil Riley, said the town had seen a "cultural renaissance" over the past decade.

"If successful, this would be a huge moment for Blackburn – an opportunity to celebrate our story, build on the momentum we've created, and deliver an exciting year of cultural activity in 2028," he said.

The presence of a cathedral in the town often leads to confusion over whether Blackburn is a town or city.

But Blackburn has bid twice, most recently during the 2022 Queen's Platinum Jubilee, to be annointed with city status but to no avail.

A shortlist for town's in with a chance to win the coveted Town of Culture title will be announced later in spring.

Those shortlisted will get £60,000 to help develop their full bid application whilst the two runners up will receive £250,000 to deliver elements of their initial bid.

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