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The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has revealed that a record 20 places will compete for the championship, which is currently held by Coventry and is being contested for the fourth time.
Bradford, Derby, Southampton, Newport in Wales, and Stirling in Scotland are among the cities that have joined Wolverhampton.
Other contestants took advantage of the contest’s expansion to include regions and groups of towns. Cornwall, Powys, Conwy, Wrexham county borough, and Bangor in Wales; Lancashire, Great Yarmouth, and East Suffolk in England; the Scottish borders region; and Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon in Northern Ireland are among them.
The challenge, according to the DCMS, uses culture as a catalyst for levelling up communities outside of London, with entrants being required to demonstrate that culture is at the heart of their recovery plans.
The record number of entries, according to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, demonstrates the “great success of City of Culture in generating investment, creating jobs, and increasing local pride.”
“This outstanding reward provides a tremendous opportunity for towns and communities to recover from the pandemic, and I wish all bidders luck,” he added.
“The three previous title holders have proved the transformative and catalytic effect culture can bring about, even within communities that have gone on to create collaborative and sustainable partnerships,” said Sir Phil Redmond, Chair of the City of Culture Expert Advisory Panel.
In the next weeks, the bidders will be narrowed down to an initial long list, which will be followed by a final shortlist early next year. In May of 2022, the winner will be chosen.
Long-listed candidates will get a £40,000 prize to help them with their applications. Wolverhampton’s bid was presented by the city council and endorsed by MPs, including Gavin Williamson, a government minister.
The award could “fast-track our city’s prosperity, international visibility, and reputation,” according to council leader Ian Brookfield.
Coventry claims to have garnered over £100 million in capital investment to support cultural enterprises since it was named City of Culture. Government support of £15.5 million has also been provided.
