Survey quizzes residents on City of Culture bid

Portsmouth residents, businesses and visitors are being asked their views on its bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.

The city council announced in November that it would submit an expression of interest to the Department for Digital, Culture and Sport (DCMS).

The UK City of Culture title is awarded every four years and sees the successful city host a year-long celebration of culture, arts and creativity, with the aim of boosting regeneration, tourism investment and community pride.

The council said the survey would help ensure the Portsmouth bid "truly reflects the city and its people".

The survey asks what cultural activities people enjoy, what makes them proud of Portsmouth and how strongly they feel the city's cultural identity comes across.

Bradford was the most recent UK City of Culture during 2025, with early estimates suggesting it welcomed three million visitors and attracted significant investment.

Portsmouth previously launched a joint bid with Southampton for the 2017 title, but did not make the four-city shortlist.

Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: "Culture is what makes Portsmouth distinctive - it's in our history, our creativity, and our communities.

"This bid is about showcasing that to the world, and we want everyone to have a voice in shaping it. By working together, we can create a cultural legacy that benefits the whole city for generations to come."

It will now submit a formal expression of interest to the DCMS, with the longlist announced in February.

So far, Ipswich has also announced it plans to bid for the title which is awarded every four years.

Portsmouth is celebrating it's centenary as a city in 2026 and its survey into its city of culture bid runs until 18 January.

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