BARNSLEY could be on course to become a major cultural location after council leaders backed plans to explore a bid to become one of the UK’s first ‘Town of Culture’ assets.
The move was revealed at a meeting of the Barnsley Town Board on Monday, where members unanimously agreed to support a potential bid.
The winning town will secure up to £3m in government funding and host a year-long programme of cultural events in 2028.
Jon Finch, the council’s head of culture and visitor economy, told the board the new competition sits alongside the long-running City of Culture scheme and is expected to attract hundreds of bids from towns across the UK.
He said expressions of interest must be submitted by the end of March, before a national shortlist is drawn up later this year.
Mr Finch said the key to standing out would be telling a ‘compelling story’ but added that Barnsley’s recent transformation thanks to the Glass Works, its wider Principal Towns project and its cultural offering - as well as its new ’Tech Town’ status - would stand it in good stead.
Sir Steve Houghton, leader of the council, said Barnsley’s story over the last three decades will set it apart.
“The most interesting bit for me is the last 30 years, for when the pits shut everything changed,” he added.
“Now we’ve used culture to move the town on to where it is today.
“A lot of places haven’t.
“That’s - I think - where we are different.
“I do think that sets us apart from others - the last 30 years we’ve done it ourselves.”
Sir Phil Redmond will lead an expert panel, judging towns on the way they’ll tell their unique story, how they’ll bring everyone in a community together, and how towns will deliver on their vision.
The strongest bids will progress to a shortlist, with each shortlisted town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition.
Three finalists - one small, one medium, one large town - will be chosen and the winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028.
Mr Redmond said: “I am delighted to have been asked to chair the new Town of Culture competition, as in the past it has been hard to adequately demonstrate the depth, breadth and diversity of the UK’s cultural landscape through the UK City of Culture’s urban lens.
“The two competitions will complement each other while providing more opportunities for more places to both demonstrate and celebrate that creativity is not confined to the great urban concert halls, theatres or galleries.
“It is in everything we do together - in every town, village, neighbourhood, street or road.
“UK Town of Culture asks what makes your town special? What makes its people proud to be there? And why should that be celebrated?”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the government hopes the winning town will follow similar successes of previous City of Culture winners.
“There is so much for us to be proud of in the towns we’re from - from the rich, local history to unique festivals and celebrations. They have shaped our national story for decades.
“Now it’s time they take centre stage and showcase the unique stories they have to tell.
“We have seen the transformative power of culture through the UK City of Culture competition.
“I want to make sure that towns have the same opportunity to make a real difference to their local community and show the world exactly why their town is so special.”
