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Midlothian's rival bids for UK Town of Culture title

Midlothian Council A visualisation of a street lined by modern flats. The street is pedestrianised and there is a man in shorts and a shirt with rolled up sleeves riding down it. There is a row of trees with green leaves down the left of the street.Midlothian Council
Councillors were told the Dalkeith bid would support regeneration of the town

Two Midlothian towns are set to battle each other for a place in the running to be named UK Town of Culture 2028.

Councillors have approved a proposal to put Dalkeith forward - after the community of Penicuick had already made a start on a bid for the title.

Local councillors said they had some concerns when they realised Midlothian Council officers were planning the rival bid.

But council leader Kelly Parry insisted both communities would receive equal support from the local authority.

The UK Town of Culture 2028 competition will offer the winning community £3m towards hosting events to mark the title over six months.

Two additional finalists will receive £250,000 each to put towards part of their proposals.

Communities had until the end of Tuesday to submit bids.

Getty Images An aerial view of Penicuik. There are rows of houses and a low, wooded hill. There are higher hills on the horizon.Getty Images
Penicuick has been put forward for the title in a community-backed bid

Penicuik was the first to declare its interest in the title earlier this month after a community campaign to promote its heritage and culture.

However, a report presented to council this week named Dalkeith as Midlothian's "candidate town" saying it is one of the county's "largest and most historically significant towns".

Parry said councillors should support both bids.

She said: "I think we should be really excited and really proud that we have two bids to celebrate."

The council leader added: "Midlothian is a region that is diverse and historic, and culturally rich and I am very proud of both the Penicuik and Dalkeith bids.

"Whether it is the heritage of Penicuik or the heart of Dalkeith I am sure we are all very proud to see Midlothian shine on a national stage."

Penicuik councillor Connor McManus said while he was not discounting the Dalkeith bid he had to praise the community efforts in Penicuik.

"It is a massive piece of work that so many people are volunteering their time to pull together," he said.

"I wish both towns the best of luck but Penicuik maybe a wee bit more."

Dalkeith councillor Margot Russell said the competition was an opportunity to boost the town's ongoing regeneration projects.

She said: "This is not just an arts programme it is a regeneration programme and an economic driver for that regeneration."

Councillors approved the Dalkeith bid alongside adding support to Penicuik.

Elsewhere in the UK, Kettering, in Northamptonshire, and Rochdale, Greater Manchester, are among towns to submit bids.

Story by local democracy reporter Marie Sharp.