Great Yarmouth Borough Council said it is delighted its bid has been shortlisted in the first UK Town of Culture competition.
The shortlist for the inaugural competition was announced today and the Government will now provide £60,000 for the bid to be finalised before the winners are revealed.
Great Yarmouth will go head-to-head with four other locations in the Medium Town category: Corby in Northamptonshire, Leith in Scotland, and the Welsh towns of Pontypridd and Port Talbot.
The winner of the Medium Town category will then face the winners from the Small Town category and Large Town category to decide which is the overall winner of UK Town of Culture 2028.
There were almost 400 submissions for the landmark competition and the winner is set to be announced early next year.
Councillor Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: ‘’We are absolutely delighted for the people of Great Yarmouth. Being shortlisted – and one of only two English places in the Medium Town category – is fantastic news and a tribute to the rich cultural tapestry of our amazing town and the people who call it home.
‘’Our entry obviously caught the judges’ eye and we will now be pulling out all the stops to do Great Yarmouth and Norfolk proud in the finals. We want to win and have the opportunity to showcase our unique town and all it offers, across the UK and beyond.
‘’I would like to thank our cultural partners – across the voluntary and commercial sectors – for their contributions in shaping the submission. We are very much looking forward to working with them in developing the full bid.’’
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Britain will never lose its love of the seaside, and Great Yarmouth is one of the most iconic coastal towns we have.
‘’There’s a real opportunity here to add rocket boosters to what’s already special about Great Yarmouth, from its famous waterfront to its arts venues. I’m very excited to see what their full bid looks like.”
The Government says the competition will highlight ambition and voices from across the UK to encourage increased local investment and create a lasting sense of pride, as well as open doors to the arts and culture for everyone.
The council worked with community and arts organisations in Great Yarmouth to shape its submission for the competition. The bid honours the town’s past and lays out a vision for future opportunities, while reflecting the vital role of cultural activity via a programme created with, by and for local people.
Councillor Smith said: ‘’Winning the UK Town of Culture title would be an enormous boost for people in Great Yarmouth and the local economy.
‘’Our town repeatedly shapes the national story. We’ve weathered economic shocks, industrial change and environmental uncertainty. But Great Yarmouth has evolved and is undergoing its most significant programme of regeneration in a century.
‘’2028 is a key year for Great Yarmouth: The beautifully restored Venetian Waterways will turn 100, the Hippodrome 125, and the Out There Festival will celebrate its 20th year.
‘’Being the UK Town of Culture would put the cap on everything we have to celebrate and help us look to the future with renewed vigour.’’
The entry, which was drawn up in consultation with the GY Cultural Network and the public, aims to build on themes reflecting Great Yarmouth’s character and opportunities. It is designed to support pride in the town, opportunities for young people, community cohesion, improved health and wellbeing, as well as growing the visitor economy and increasing town centre activity.
The full list of places shortlisted for the UK Town of Culture 2028 is:
Small Towns: Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane, and Stockton Town Centre Ward.
Medium Towns: Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd, and Port Talbot.
Large towns: Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham.
