'Bold and vibrant' Blackpool in Town of Culture bid

Blackpool looks set to join Burnley and Chorley in a bid to become the first ever UK Town of Culture.

The new title offers of towns a chance to win millions of pounds to fund a 12-month cultural programme in 2028.

It runs alongside the existing UK City of Culture contest, which the council is also set to bid for in 2029.

"Blackpool's place in the country's heritage is undeniable," council leader Lynn Wiliams said, adding it would be an opportunity to "make the country realise just what a wonderful place we live in".

If successful in its bid, Blackpool would receive £10m for city status, or £3m for town status, from the government.

The council said it would be for local people to enjoy, as well as increasing the tourism economy and creating new jobs.

Williams said: "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.

"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 said the bid would "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".

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.

While not strictly 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.

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