A GROUP of cultural organisations are working together on a bid for Barnsley to become the UK’s Town of Culture in 2028.

Barnsley Council, the Civic, Barnsley Community and Voluntary Services, Gary Clarke Company, the National Trust’s Wentworth Castle Gardens, ArtWorks South Yorkshire and Yorkshire Sculpture Park have all expressed their support and will front the bid.

These organisations will now be working together to prepare and submit an expression of interest to the government to begin the process of bidding for Town of Culture status.

A survey was revealed yesterday and locals have been urged to take part by March 15.

Edward Naylor, chairperson of the Barnsley Town Board, said: “Town of Culture presents a fantastic opportunity and it’s important that cultural organisations across Barnsley pull together to help bring this home for the borough.

“We know Barnsley has a really strong story to tell as a candidate for UK Town of Culture, but we’d like to hear from as many local people as possible to tell us what culture means to them.”

Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, added: “Barnsley’s cultural landscape is rich, layered and it’s deeply rooted in our heritage of making, music and local community traditions.

“We’re proud to be home to so many cultural institutions who all work together with thousands of local people to help make culture an everyday part of people’s lives.

“It’s fantastic that we already have such strong support from across the cultural sector to bid for UK Town of Culture status.”

Visit barnsley.gov.uk/consultations to fill in the survey.