Michelle Scrogham, the MP for Barrow and Furness, has expressed her support for local bids in the UK Town of Culture 2028 competition. Four towns from Cumbria, including Barrow and Ulverston, submitted their expressions of interest by the end of last month.
Scrogham highlighted the cultural richness of both towns, Emphasising their potential to showcase local talent and heritage. She believes that their participation will bring attention to the area’s artistic, scientific, and natural attractions.
Local Bids and Cultural Assets
Both Barrow and Ulverston have notable cultural institutions that contribute to their bids. In Barrow, organisations like Signal Films & Media, Art Gene, Barrowfull, and the Dock Museum play significant roles in promoting local culture.
Ulverston is home to the independent cinema The Roxy and the Laurel & Hardy Museum, which are important cultural landmarks. Scrogham pointed out that these assets enhance the towns’ appeal in the competition.
About the UK Town of Culture Competition
The UK Town of Culture competition was announced by the Government in January. It aims to highlight the unique offerings of towns across the UK. Each town that submitted an expression of interest will be evaluated by an expert advisory panel.
Judging and Funding Process
Following the evaluation, a shortlist of towns will be created. Each shortlisted town will receive £60,000 to aid in their full bid submissions. A full application process will take place later this year.
Award Structure
The competition will also recognise winners in different town size categories. The overall winner will be awarded £3 million, while the two runners-up will receive £250,000 each. The announcement of the winners is expected in early 2027.
