West Midlands snubbed in 'town of culture' shortlist

The West Midlands has been snubbed in the shortlist to find Britain’s first Town of Culture.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy today announced a shortlist of 15 towns which are being considered for the accolade, but none are in the region.

The competition was announced in December last year, to run parallel to the established CiBody*ty of Culture contest.

The winner of the competition will be awarded £3 million to hold a major cultural programme over the summer of 2028, while two runners-up will be awarded £250,000 each.

A total of 37 entries were submitted across the West Midlands, including Dudley, Bilston, Smethwick, Stafford, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Brierley Hill and Burntwood, but none made the final 15.

Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Warwick and Ludlow were also overlooked by the judges, led by television writer Sir Phil Redmond.

Corby was the only East Midlands town to make the list.

Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham were the four ‘large towns’ to make the shortlist, with Corby, Great Yarmouth, Lieth, Pontypridd and Port Talbot being selected for the ‘medium towns’ category. Ilfracombe, the Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane and Stockton town centre were the chosen ‘small towns’.

Each of these will now receive a £60,000 grant to submit a formal bid for the next stage of the competition.

The Government said 400 towns applied to the competition, demonstrating that culture belonged everywhere and shone a light on the many towns across the UK that were vital to the nation’s story.

Dudley’s claim centred on the town’s status as Capital of the Black Country, its zoo and castle, Black Country Living Museum, canal tunnel and Wren’s Nest National Nature Reserve.

More than 40 cultural organisations were behind Stafford’s application, which would include a major festival called Stafford Town of Love.

Councillor Stephen Simkins, leader of Wolverhampton Council, had cited Bilston’s Craft Gallery, Town Hall, The Robin music venue and Gazebo Theatre as central to its bid.

Last weekend the town also hosted its first carnival in 18 years, following the opening of the new Bilston Market.

Stourbridge focused on its glassmaking and lace-making heritage, and vibrant arts scene, while Smethwick focused on Galton Bridge - the highest canal bridge in the world - and the former Chance Glassworks once one of the the world’s leading manufacturers of glass. Its Ruskin Pottery works was also known around the world for its colourful designs which formed part of the Arts and Crafts movement.

Miss Nandy congratulated the 15 towns which made the shortlist, and wished them luck in the next round.

“The fact we received so many applications just goes to show how proud people are of their towns,” she said.

“When I launched this competition, I wanted to shine a light on our amazing towns all across the UK, and the huge contribution they make to our national life.

“I am so glad so many towns have applied and I hope each and every town, whether they have been shortlisted or not, is incredibly proud of the work they have done to champion their community.”