Plymouth and Bristol announce plans to bid for UK City of Culture 2029

A number of cities and towns have confirmed they will be submitting expressions of interest to become UK City of Culture 2029 following the competition’s launch at the end of last year.

Bristol and Plymouth, both in south-west England, are the latest to confirm their intentions to submit expressions of interest, joining Wrexham in Wales, Portsmouth in Hampshire and Ipswich in Suffolk.

The competition for the year-long title and £10m in funding launched at the end of October and the deadline to express interest is 8 February. A longlist of places approved to make a full application will be announced in late March, with a shortlist and winner named in autumn and winter 2026 respectively.

Plymouth has officially thrown its hat in the ring with an expression of interest to “celebrate our proud city shaped by the sea and its dynamic histories”. The Devon city previously bid for the 2017 title but lost out to port city Hull.

But following a sustained period of investment, including The Box’s £46m redevelopment in 2021, culture leaders in Plymouth say it is ready to “show the nation what a coastal city can achieve when creativity sits at the heart of its ambitions”.

Victoria Pomery, chief executive officer of The Box and head of culture for Plymouth City Council, will co-lead on Plymouth’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029 with Hannah Harris, chief executive officer of Plymouth Culture.

“This is a real now or never moment for Plymouth, a city so intrinsically linked to the UK’s histories,” said Pomery. “We have spent years building the cultural partnerships and infrastructure that will enable Plymouth to live up to the title of City of Culture, and the timing aligns perfectly with the wider ambition for growth, regeneration and opportunity in the city.”

Meanwhile, the city of Bristol yesterday announced that it was preparing to take its first steps towards a potential bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2029. Councillors will meet on 20 January to decide whether to submit an expression of interest or not.

Philip Walker, head of culture at Bristol City Council, said: “Our city is renowned for its creativity – from street art and music to festivals and independent venues. While we take pride in our city’s offer not everyone has equal access to cultural experiences. Barriers such as cost, location, and representation mean some communities feel disconnected from Bristol’s cultural offer.

“A bid for UK City of Culture would aim to change that. The UK City of Culture programme is about more than events and festivals – it’s about creating lasting change. For Bristol, this means cementing culture as a means to tackle inequality, strengthen communities, and inspire future generations.

“It means celebrating what makes the city special while opening doors for those who feel excluded. A Bristol approach is one that is rooted in its grassroots cultural scene – the community-led projects, local artists, and neighbourhood initiatives that give our city its distinctive character.

“By building from the ground up, our bid would seek to ensure that everyone, regardless of background or postcode, can experience and benefit from Bristol’s vibrant cultural life.

“We want to empower a whole city bid that captures the spirit of the sector and the communities of Bristol. Should the committee give us the go ahead to start the bidding process we want to build a bid on the power our cultural offer has to bring people together, foster understanding, and strengthen the voices of our communities.”

Competitors ready

Research has shown that the UK City of Culture programmes in previous winners – Coventy (2020/2021), Hull (2017) and Derry-Londonderry (2013) – have stimulated additional investment of over £1bn, and that more than 70% of attendees to UK City of Culture events feel a greater sense of pride.

Initial evaluation shows that Bradford attracted more than 3 million people during its title year in 2025.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport, which runs the competition, says that bidding for the title can also have a hugely positive impact on places even if they do not go on to win.

“The process of preparing a bid can help to bring partners together and develop strategic cultural leadership, showcasing and opening up access to your local culture, art and heritage, and articulating your ambitions for the future,” it says.

“We know from previous competitions that these ideas and partnerships can, and often will, carry on irrespective of whether a bid is ultimately successful and many previous bidders have gone on to realise elements of their bids despite being unsuccessful in this competition.”

The 2025 competition received a record number of bids and it is expected that more cities will throw their hats in the ring to become UK City of Culture in 2029.

Ipswich and Portsmouth both launched bids earlier this month.

Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “Culture is what makes Portsmouth distinctive; it’s in our history, our creativity, and our communities. This bid is about showcasing that to the world, and we want everyone to have a voice in shaping it. By working together, we can create a cultural legacy that benefits the whole city for generations to come.”

And MP for Ipswich Jack Abbott said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to show the country what Ipswich is made of.”

Wrexham was shortlisted for the UK City of Culture 2025 and has long said it will bid for the title in 2029. At the end of last year, it appointed Dirty Protest Theatre to deliver a county-wide programme of innovative, inclusive creative engagement workshops across the borough to help shape its application.

Amanda Evans, the director of the 2029 culture bid, said: “Wrexham’s ambition for 2029 is an opportunity to tell our story on a national stage – a story of creativity, diversity, and pride that runs through every town, village, and community in the county.

“We learned so much from our last bid, and this time we’re building something even more dynamic, inclusive, and forward-looking. The excitement and commitment we’re already seeing from local people and partners shows just how ready Wrexham is to take this next step.”