Historic West Midlands market town with 'a community that comes together to make things happen' submits UK Town Of Culture bid

Bridgnorth has this week, officially submitted its “expression of interest” to become UK Town of Culture 2028, with the backing of local organisations and the town’s MP.

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Led by not-for-profit organisation ShireFolk, the Bridgnorth bid celebrates a town that is “punching well above its weight”—a place where grassroots creativity, community spirit and cultural ambition are already turning heads far beyond Shropshire.

The town is among seven in Shropshire aiming to be named Town Of Culture 2028 - the others being: Ludlow, Broseley, Shrewsbury, Market Drayton, Oswestry and Telford .

Backers in Bridgnorth say despite a population of just over 12,000, the town has quietly built a reputation as a must-play stop on the international touring circuit.

And at its heart, the bid centres on Bridgnorth’s unique, community-powered cultural scene—where festivals, performances and exhibitions don’t just happen in traditional venues, but in homes, shops, churches, pubs and public spaces across High Town and Low Town.

Westley Bone, Director of ShireFolk, said: “Bridgnorth is a town where culture is part of everyday life.

“We don’t have a large arts centre—but what we do have is something incredibly powerful: a community that comes together to make things happen. This bid is about celebrating that spirit and taking it to the next level.”

He said the expression of interest has been shaped by a growing grassroots consortium of more than 50 local organisations, businesses, schools and community groups.

From festivals and choirs to independent shops and major employers including Bridgnorth Aluminium, the bid reflects a whole-town effort to showcase Bridgnorth as a vibrant, creative and inclusive place.

It builds on proven success. Events like the Bridgnorth Music & Arts Festival and the Open House Arts Trail already attract visitors from across the region, while innovative grassroots initiatives—such as ShireFolk’s Harry Potter-themed “Wizard’s Birthday”—have drawn thousands into the town and gained regional media attention.

He added that the Town of Culture programme would expand this momentum, using Bridgnorth itself as a stage—animating its historic streets, dramatic riverside setting and iconic cliff-top landscape with cultural experiences that are accessible to all.

Crucially, the bid also focuses on the future: creating opportunities for young people, supporting creative careers, improving accessibility, and strengthening the town’s economy through tourism and cultural growth.

If Bridgnorth is invited through to the next stage of the competition, organisers are keen to grow the consortium even further.

Westley Bone added: “This is a truly open and collaborative bid. If we progress to the next round, we want even more people, groups and businesses to get involved.”

“This is a chance for the whole town to shape something special together.”

Local MP Stuart Anderson has also thrown his weight behind both Bridgnorth and Ludlow’s bid for Town Of Culture.

He said: “As part of my plan to attract investment and support cultural heritage in South Shropshire, I am delighted to support the applications that have been made by Bridgnorth and Ludlow to the Town of Culture Competition.

“Both towns in South Shropshire are very worthy candidates for the £3 million investment that the winning town will receive to deliver a programme of cultural renewal and growth in 2028. I am very proud of how communities in both towns came together to prepare their bids.

“This Competition has great potential to unleash rural prosperity in South Shropshire, bringing together businesses, community groups, and cultural organisations. It will celebrate the very best homegrown talent and our contribution to the rural economy.”