MP calls for Stourbridge and Brierley Hill to enter the race to be UK town of culture

Miss Eccles has written to Balvinder Heran, chief executive of Dudley Council, putting the case for the two towns to make a joint bid for the 2028 Town of Culture competition.

Sign up to our free newsletter today

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced the new competition in November. Dudley MP Sonia Kumar immediately wrote to council leader Councillor Patrick Harley urging him to support a bid for central Dudley. 

Winning towns will receive £3.5 million to deliver a cultural programme. The competition will run alongside the existing City of Culture competition, but will be open to small and medium-sized towns.

Miss Eccles said heritage and culture were priorities for her in Parliament, and that she wished to see her constituency given a national profile.

"From Stourbridge's world-renowned glassmaking to Brierley Hill's community-led regeneration, these towns show the creativity and resilience that makes Dudley borough special," she said.

Equally important was the area's industrial heritage and historic canal network, which once powered the Black Country's growth, she added.

"Stourbridge's heritage in glassmaking continues to inspire local pride and international recognition, while its grassroots arts and music scene provides opportunities for young people and emerging talent," Miss Eccles said.

"Brierley Hill, meanwhile, has shown how regeneration can be community-led, with projects such as the heritage action zones, community festivals, and cultural engagement initiatives that have strengthened civic pride and social value.

Town wishing to enter the competition will be requested to initially submit a statement of interest, outlining their story, and how the funding would deliver a cultural programme. Shortlisted towns will then receive £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition. 

Applications for the competition will be judged on the story of the town, how it will design a programme, and how it will make the programme a reality.

Expressions of interest have also been invited for the UK City of Culture 2029, which is open from cities, large towns, regions and groupings of places

For the first time, the City of Culture competition will carry a cash prize of £10 million to develop a year-long programme of activities. 

Initial applicants will be whittled down to a 'long list' which will receive £60,000 each to help them to develop their full bids. This will be reduced to a shortlist of four, with the runners-up receiving £125,000. The criteria for UK City of Culture has also been updated to make the competition more accessible to large towns.