Blackpool makes next round in City of Culture bid
PABlackpool has made the long list of places that could become UK City of Culture 2029 - despite not being a city.
The resort took advantage of Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) encouragement for larger towns to bid.
The council, working with the Arts Council England, submitted an Expression of Interest earlier this year, and has now been invited to submit a larger bid.
As the 45th largest place in the UK, with a population of 141,500 and a visitor economy valued at £2bn, Blackpool meets the DCMS bidding criteria to be Town of Culture 2028 and City of Culture 2029.
Council leader Lynne Williams said: "Blackpool is bursting with culture and variety.
"We've just celebrated a week-long festival of circus and magic and are looking forward to welcoming the works of both Claude Monet and William Shakespeare this month, all of which is complemented by our year-round celebration of the art and culture of today and tomorrow.
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.
'Equal opportunity'
Blackpool is one of nine places on the long list, with Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Swindon and Wrexham also in the running.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "For far too long, opportunity has not been shared equally across the country.
"I look forward to seeing what the nine long-listed places have in store as they progress in the competition."
DCMS said: "We welcome bids from places across the UK and bidding is not restricted to cities.
"As a guide, we also encourage bids from larger towns, regions or groups of places. It is for the place itself to decide if it fulfills the requirements."
If successful, Blackpool would receive £10m from DCMS.
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