Derry beats Sheffield to Capital of Culture title

LONDONDERRY has beaten Sheffield to the title of the first UK City of Culture in 2013, it was announced tonight.

The news was met with jubilant scenes in Northern Ireland's second city and at the official announcement in Liverpool.

The City of Culture title, which comes with no Government funding, is designed to help areas boost their economy through tourism and the creative industries.

Derry had been vying for the status against Birmingham, Norwich and Sheffield.

Colum Eastwood, the Mayor of Londonderry, hailed his city's triumph.

"It means a lot, we are absolutely delighted," he told the BBC's One Show.

He said it would be a lasting legacy for Derry, adding: "We are very confident it will be.

"This will bring the jobs, the investment, the regeneration that we need."

In its bid, Sheffield pointed to its renaissance of recent years.

Key areas of the city centre have been redeveloped and now boast an attractive blend of bars, boutique shops and designer flats.

With a thriving music scene boasting the talents of indie band Arctic Monkeys amongst others, the city's bid put the focus on the talents of its youngsters.

Bid organisers challenged Sheffield to become the UK's most creative city by 2020 and to create a "step change" in the sense of identity and confidence of its natives.

The bid was backed by Monty Python star and son of Sheffield Michael Palin.

After announcing the winner, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said: "This is a truly great moment for Londonderry.

"The panel were unanimous in their recommendation because of their compelling cultural programme, the way it seeks to address the city's past, and the enthusiasm and commitment of the city and its supporters.

"I would like to pay tribute to the other finalist cities, Birmingham, Norwich and Sheffield, and thank them for the hard work and dedication that they have shown throughout this process.

"I hope that each of them can build on what they've done so far and that the exciting ideas they've developed will come to fruition."

TV producer and writer Phil Redmond, who sat on the Independent Advisory Panel, said: "I have no doubt that Londonderry will follow Liverpool and show what impact, what step change, a year in the media spotlight can bring about."

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister and Derry native Martin McGuinness said winning was "a gift to the peacemakers".

"This is fantastic news for the city and the entire region and I am immensely proud of what has been achieved," he said moments after the result was announced.

"It represents a fitting reward for the huge amount of work that has been undertaken by all associated with the bid.

"Being here in Liverpool has enabled us all to see first-hand the massive boost that their victory in the European City of Culture has brought.

"The task that now lies before us is to ensure that tonight's announcement will provide a similar catalyst for my home town to avail of the potentially massive benefits culturally, economically and socially for all our people.

"It is an opportunity that Derry and its people will seize with both hands and I am especially looking forward to our return to Derry tomorrow to join in what I know will be a fantastic occasion."

Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson passed on his own congratulations.

"To have beaten off stiff competition from a number of other major UK cities is a tremendous achievement and is reflective of the bid team's enthusiasm and professionalism," he said.

"The north west, and indeed Northern Ireland as a whole, basks in the glory of their achievement.

"This success portrays Northern Ireland in a positive and inspirational light and is indicative of what we can offer the world both culturally and socially.

"I have no doubt that the people of Londonderry will embrace the spirit and ethos of the City of Culture and that 2013 will be a great year for the city, the north west and Northern Ireland."

The city's MP, Mark Durkan, said he was delighted by the result.

"I congratulate the whole bid team," he said. "This is a title well won, a job well done.

"We will see Derry looking forward and looking outward but showing all its inner talents and strengths.

"People throughout Ireland and Britain will see a city that nurtures talent - plays, writes, sings, dances, creates and innovates.

"This will be a big opportunity not just to show off Derry's cultural pedigree but also sees our cultural destiny in a way that will provide a platform for our future growth, not least economically."

Stormont Culture Minister Nelson McCausland, Tourism Minister Arlene Foster and East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell also hailed the city's achievement.

The US government's economic envoy to Northern Ireland, Declan Kelly, said the award would give a real boost to the region.

"Winning the title UK City of Culture 2013 is a tremendous achievement for the city of Derry/Londonderry and for Northern Ireland has a whole," he said.

"This victory is extremely important for the region as Derry/Londonderry's win will have significant economic impact on all of Northern Ireland.

"The UK City of Culture brings the potential for thousands of new jobs as well as much-needed investment and revenue to the region.

"It is precisely because of the economic impact that I became involved early on in the process.

"This is not just about culture, but about long-term economic opportunities and prosperity for the people of Northern Ireland in a broad range of industries including tourism, film, creative media, event management, hospitality, and many more."

Actor James Nesbitt, who had backed the city's bid, said the award acknowledged Derry's rich cultural heritage.

"This decision confirms what many of us in the province and further afield have known for many years - that Derry-Londonderry is a cultural powerhouse," said Nesbitt, who is now Chancellor of the University of Ulster, which has a campus in the city.

"Whether it is writers like Seamus Heaney and Seamus Deane, songwriters and performers like Phil Coulter or the Undertones, artists like Willie Doherty, film-makers like Margo Harkin and Tom Collins, or actors like Amanda Burton, Roma Downey and Bronagh Gallagher, the city has asserted a huge influence on the arts internationally.

"It is great to see that creativity and talent being recognised and rewarded and I know the university is looking forward to playing its part in a programme of events which will do Derry-Londonderry and the province proud."

Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson also passed on his congratulations.

"When I was in the city last week I was hugely impressed by the quality of the bid to become the UK's first City of Culture," he said.

"Those behind the bid have done a magnificent job and I congratulate them on this success.

"For those who call this great place Londonderry and for those who call it Derry, they can be as one in their pride in this huge achievement."