00:00Middlesbrough is now officially competing for the title of UK City of Culture 2029,
00:06alongside Blackpool, Inverness and the Highlands, Ipswich, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Sheffield,
00:11Swindon and Wrexham. Each long-listed city receives £60,000 to develop a detailed bid,
00:18an increase from £40,000 in the previous competition. The winning city, succeeding
00:23Bradford, will receive £10 million to stage a year-long programme of cultural events,
00:28exhibitions and performances, emphasising its unique heritage, communities and local stories.
00:35The three runners-up will each receive £125,000 to continue developing elements of their proposed
00:41programmes. Announcing the shortlist, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy highlighted that both City
00:48and Town of Culture awards aim to share opportunity more widely across the UK. She encouraged towns to
00:54enter the inaugural Town of Culture competition by 31 March. The longlist selection was made by an
01:01independent panel, chaired by Sir Phil Redmond, who said culture acts as a catalyst for change
01:06and improves perception of places. Past winners, including Coventry, Hull, Londonderry and Bradford,
01:13demonstrated economic and social benefits, with Coventry generating more than £183 million
01:19and Bradford increasing visitors to its galleries by more than 40%. Middlesbrough will now focus on
01:25finalising its detailed cultural programme and bid submission.
