Could Yorkshire be home to Town of Culture 2028?

Towns across Yorkshire are throwing their flatcaps in the ring to be crowned the UK's first Town of Culture after the government announced a £3m fund for the winner.

The scheme follows the UK City of Culture – a title most recently held by Bradford.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport will consider applications for the Town of Culture before a shortlist is confirmed in the spring, with the overall winner due to be announced early next year.

Scarborough, Richmond and Halifax are among the towns preparing to enter the competition - but what do they have to offer?

In 2026 Scarborough is celebrating its 400th anniversary as Britain's first seaside resort – but it is not all rock and sandcastles, says Caroline Routh, executive director of the Stephen Joseph Theatre.

"We've also got culture in and out of the high streets – there's live music across pubs and venues. There's a whole load of visual artists popping up in galleries all over the place," she says.

"Scarborough Fair has reimagined itself from the old market into a year-round programme of festivals. I think we've got an amazing opportunity."

The Stephen Joseph Theatre has a national reputation as the home of prolific playwright Alan Ayckbourn - best known for his works The Norman Conquests and Woman in Mind.

"The arts are very good at doing things on a shoestring, £3m would go a huge way," says Routh.

"You've only got to look at how it's transformed Hull and Bradford and see how much additional funding that has leveraged in."

Chair of the Seaside Heritage Network, Dr Kathryn Ferry, says seaside towns need more recognition and Town of Culture would bring a boost to the region.

"We're an island nation and for previous generations this is the place where people spent time off, where they took their pleasures, enjoyed themselves, went on holiday – and Scarborough was the first – they've been really crucial in our cultural history," she says.

"Seaside resorts were built upon visitors and it would be amazing if we could really generate that excitement to get people to come back again and see what's on their doorstep and appreciate the wonderful place that it is."

Halifax has become a regular feature on our screens - from PC Catherine Cawood in Happy Valley to Samuel Jackson in Marvel miniseries Secret Invasion.

But the town is no background extra. It is also home to venues such as The Piece Hall, Victoria Theatre and Dean Clough, while Bankfield Museum has a number of outfits from films including the wet shirt famously worn by Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice.

Councillor Joseph Thompson has been working on a cultural review of Calderdale and says the town's profile is only getting bigger.

"Whether it's through the Piece Hall, whether it's through Happy Valley, which was the most watched programme in the UK the year season three came out, for me, it's about what is the legacy of that?

"What is the benefit for the people of this town, not just in terms of people knowing about Halifax and wanting to come to Halifax, but for people who live and work in Halifax."

He says a Town of Culture win would help keep young people in the town.

"It would be really good to demonstrate to young people that actually you can have these amazing jobs where you were born and where you were brought up, where your friends are, where your family are," he says.

Council leader Jane Scullion says a win would allow culture to play "an even bigger part" in Calderdale's future.

"Culture is a huge part of Calderdale's story. It centres around our rich history, amazing landscapes, incredible people, creativity, entrepreneurship, talent, diversity and iconic venues," she says.

"Culture is a real source of pride for our local people and helps to keep our place on the national and international map, with a rapidly growing reputation as the place to be for music, filming and heritage."

Richmond - home of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak - is a "gateway to the Yorkshire Dales".

Mayor Carl Tate says it's a fantastic place to be and live.

"The whole place is phenomenal – we've got the castle and all of the attractions. We've got two museums and the Georgian Theatre," he says.

"What makes Richmond great is of course all the people who live and work here, but it's also the surrounding villages."

Marie Woods is CEO of Green Howards Museum, which tells the stories of the British Army's Green Howards infantry regiment.

She says the town has an "intensity of community spirit"

"It's going to be about us coming together to really shout about the passion, the ingenuity and the creativity that Richmond has to offer."

Sunak is supporting members of the Community Interest Company who are preparing the bid and says he will be "formally supporting" the application.

"Few towns have Richmond's historic and cultural assets and, just as importantly, the people with the commitment and skills to put together a programme of events we can all be part of and proud of," he says.

Whitby - home of the world famous Goth Weekend - has also announced it is looking to enter the competition.

Chairman of the management committee at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Clair Stones, says the town has shaped the nation and the world.

"For 13 centuries Whitby has been at the crucible of British culture shaping the nation's spiritual life through Saint Hilda and the Synod of Whitby in 664, which set the date for Easter," she says.

"We've got Bram Stoker, probably the most famous of the authors who came to stay in Whitby, and of course out of that we get Dracula.

"We've contributed to shaping the nation and on the international stage with our maritime exploits."

But Stones emphasises that a Town of Culture win would not be about bringing more tourists to the already very popular location.

"The story of where Whitby goes in our next phase has really got to be what the community wants," she says.

"As a result of what we do, our tourism may increase, but we are not producing something that is for the tourists. This is for the people of Whitby."

Pocklington, a market town at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds, claims to be a "small town with big ambition".

Mayor Roly Cronshaw says if it wins the title it will look to "create a legacy well beyond 2028".

"We have so much to be proud of in Pocklington," he says.

"Several thriving sports clubs, a nationally renowned gliding festival, countless volunteer groups, an active canal society, Burnby Hall and Gardens and a rich historical heritage.

"This isn't just about Pocklington it's about our surrounding villages, which have such a rich cultural history," he adds.

Andy Bowden, chair of Pocklington Rugby in the Community, says culture is not just about the arts.

"Culture is about our heritage and the society in which we live," he says.

"Pocklington has always punched above its weight. Our town is rich in creativity, powered by volunteers, and defined by a strong sense of togetherness."

Knaresborough is yet to announce an official bid for Town of Culture, and is currently "gauging interest", says councillor Andy Bell.

"You might not know it, but Knaresborough has a huge amount of cultural organisations," he says.

"There's so many things going on. There are well over 100 organisations in a town that's not all that big."

If the town did win the title, he says, it would want to showcase its existing landmarks – the castle, the market, the town crier and the bed race - but also use the cash to encourage small businesses.

"We want ideas but we also want people who will be delivery focused. It will take more than a few hours a week get this done," he says.

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