Market Harborough bids for UK Town of Culture title

Market Harborough has joined the race to become the UK's first Town of Culture in 2028.

The government said the competition would boost local pride and added the winner would be awarded £3m, with two runners-up receiving £250,000 each.

Loughborough, Coalville, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Hinckley and Melton Mowbray have also entered the contest to win the title.

Towns have until Tuesday to enter expressions of interest to the government, with finalists expected to be announced in the spring.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has invited towns to enter the new competition to showcase local heritage and culture.

It will run alongside the existing UK City of Culture contest, which was won by Bradford in 2025.

The strongest candidates will progress to a shortlist, with each shortlisted town receiving £60,000 in funding towards their final bid.

The winning town will start a year-long programme of cultural celebrations.

Harborough District Council said the bid, titled The Grand Union, aimed to celebrate more than 800 years of the town's history as a meeting place at the heart of the Midlands.

The entry made with local businesses, arts organisations and community groups focuses on the town's medieval markets along with the arrival of the Grand Union Canal and its role in shaping modern tourism.

Jo Asher, the council's cabinet lead for culture, leisure, economy and tourism, said: "Market Harborough is a town with incredibly strong foundations.

"But to secure a vibrant future for our young people and build stronger connections across generations, we need a catalyst.

"The Grand Union is exactly that.

"We are ready to show what a market town can achieve when culture and commerce work hand in hand."

The bid has been developed with various partners including Creative Harborough, Harbs Collective, the Market Harborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Leicestershire County Council's museum and libraries service and the Canal and River Trust.

Claire Webb, at Creative Harborough, added: "A Town of Culture designation would be a powerful opportunity for Harborough to celebrate its unique identity while strengthening community."

The competition's three finalists will include one small town (with under 20,000 population), one medium town (20,000 to 75,000) and one large town (over 75,000).

Sir Phil Redmond, the television producer who created Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks, will chair a panel that picks the winners.

"Town of Culture is all about celebration, and that means actually telling us why your town is great," he said.

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.