The race to become the UK Town of Culture 2028

Towns across Sussex and Surrey have become the latest contenders to throw their hat in the ring to be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028.

Eastbourne, Hastings, Worthing, Bexhill and Littlehampton in Sussex have submitted bids, alongside Kent’s Chatham, Folkestone and Deal. Dorking in Surrey is also competing, along with other towns across the region. 

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent, David Stokes, from Nucleus Arts, said: ‘Chatham built much of the modern world…It’s a rebel town. We think it’s underrated and should be celebrated.’

Littlehampton’s entry was announced by Cllr Freddie Tandy, who acknowledged some scepticism. He said: ‘I know it’s going to be really easy for some people to say that’s a waste of time. There’s nothing cultural about Littlehampton. It’s all rubbish. But those of us who call it home know that’s completely untrue.’

‘Just look around. You will see things improving – that’s not happening everywhere,’ he continued. ‘Think about the history. We’re on the coast. We’re next to a river. We’re near a national park. We have so many stories.’

Applications for UK Town of Culture 2028 opened in January and are due to close on 31st March. The winning town will receive a £3 million grant, while the two runners-up will each be awarded £250,000 to deliver cultural programmes. 

Image: Headlines have been flooded with town entries since the competition launched.

The competition was launched for the first time ever this year by the government. 

Since the applications opened, dozens of Northern towns have also submitted entries. Hyndburn Council is currently working on a bid for Accrington to receive the title. 

The local authority has committed £100,000 of additional funding in its 2026/27 budget to support culture and heritage activity across the borough, including on the bid for Accrington to become UK town of Culture 2028.

Cllr Kimberley Whitehead, culture boss of Hyndburn Council, said: ‘Culture and heritage are at the heart of Hyndburn’s identity and our future regeneration plans. 

‘From the invention of the Spinning Jenny to our world-renowned Tiffany Glass collection, from the Accrington Pals to our vibrant contemporary creative community, we have extraordinary stories to tell.’

In Treacle Town, otherwise known as Macclesfield, a new group called the Culture Collective are working to secure the win. The campaign group was founded by local business owner and film director Thomas Broadhead. 

‘Our town is rich with culture, culture of many different stripes, from weaving to live music via incredible food, sport and adventure in the hills surrounding us,’ Broadhead explained. 

‘I hope that in going for Town of Culture, we can pull together around a shared sense of pride and identity, and that culture can be clearly accessible to all members of our community.’

Lisa Nandy MP, UK Secretary of State for culture, media and sport, emphasised the importance of recognising cultural talent outside major cities. 

‘Great culture if not confined to our largest metropolitan centres,’ she said. ‘It is everywhere, rooted in communities across the country.

‘For too long that talent and contribution has gone unrecognised.’ 

More information about how to be considered for UK Town of Culture 2028 can be found here. 

Image: Andy Goldsby/UnSplash and screenshot 

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