Four places compete to host Great Exhibition of the North
Blackpool, Bradford, Newcastle-Gateshead and Sheffield on shortlist
Blackpool, Bradford, Newcastle-Gateshead and Sheffield have been shortlisted to host the Great Exhibition of the North in 2018.
The shortlist was announced last week by Matt Hancock, the new minister of state for digital and culture.
The exhibition, which will run for at least two months, is intended to showcase the creative, cultural and design sectors across the north of England, and boost investment and tourism in the region.
The shortlist will be assessed by the Great Exhibition board before a final selection is made by government ministers in the autumn.
The government is giving £5m towards the exhibition and a further £15m to a legacy fund to attract further cultural investment in the North.
There were nine bids in total, with submissions from Halifax, Harrogate, Scunthorpe, St Helens and Whitehaven, as well as the shortlisted venues.
The shortlist was announced last week by Matt Hancock, the new minister of state for digital and culture.
The exhibition, which will run for at least two months, is intended to showcase the creative, cultural and design sectors across the north of England, and boost investment and tourism in the region.
The shortlist will be assessed by the Great Exhibition board before a final selection is made by government ministers in the autumn.
The government is giving £5m towards the exhibition and a further £15m to a legacy fund to attract further cultural investment in the North.
There were nine bids in total, with submissions from Halifax, Harrogate, Scunthorpe, St Helens and Whitehaven, as well as the shortlisted venues.