Penrith Town Council has voted with one week left before the deadline to enter Penrith into the first ever UK Town of Culture competition, celebrating the town’s vibrant and cohesive community, rich heritage and growing arts and culture scene.
A meeting of the town council was asked last Monday why it had not looked at submitting a bid and if it intended to before the deadline but was unable to answer the questions by Penrith.Town News.
Now just seven days later the three members attending today’s town council communities committee voted to submit an expression of interest to government for Penrith to be the first UK town of culture in 2028.
Although the council agreed to submit the expression of interest it voted to discuss the proposal in a private session without the press and public present.
The UK Town of Culture programme will see one town awarded the Town of Culture 2028 title along with £3 million in government funding to deliver a programme of cultural activity and events. while the two finalists will each receive £250,000 to deliver an ambitious programme of cultural activity in 2028. This is in addition to £60,000 development grants for all shortlisted places to work up their full bids.
The scheme is designed to highlight the cultural life of towns and support local heritage, arts organisations, festivals and community events. Towns that wish to take part must first submit an Expression of Interest outlining their cultural vision and plans, with the deadline set for 31 March.
Those selected to move forward in the process will then be invited to develop more detailed proposals as part of the competition.
Penrith will join over 230 other town who have already announced their entry and plans to be the 2028 UK Town of Culture including Kendal and Kirkby Lonsdale
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