Town of Culture bid 'built on strong communities'

Scunthorpe has thrown its hat in the ring for the UK's first Town of Culture title and is asking people to back its bid.

North Lincolnshire Council announced it had submitted an expression of interest in the competition, in the hope it would revive the town's empty spaces and "bring activity" into all its neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.

Council leader Rob Waltham said: "We know there are challenges – every town has them – but there is real strength in the communities across Scunthorpe, and that's what this bid is built on."

Towns across the country have entered the race. The winner will be awarded £3m to deliver a cultural programme lasting about six months in 2028.

The scheme builds on the success of the UK City of Culture title, which has been awarded every four years since 2013, by encouraging smaller communities to bid for the investment to boost arts, music, literature and theatre in their area.

Each town will be judged against a set of aims and criteria, such as a strong, compelling local story and high-quality arts, heritage and creative industries.

Scunthorpe's bid comes ahead of the deadline for expressions of interest later.

The council said it wanted to focus on "visible change across neighbourhoods", including bringing "empty units back in use", filling parks with activity, staging events beyond the town centre and empowering young people to lead projects.

The suburbs of Ashby, Brumby, Crosby and Frodingham are included in the bid.

Waltham said: "This is the start of the journey. We're putting our hat in the ring and making the case for Scunthorpe on a national stage.

"We want people to get behind this, to take part and to help tell the story of the place they live, because the best stories about Scunthorpe come from the people who know it best."

The council said external sources of funding were used to develop the bid, rather than "local taxpayers' money".

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