Town of Culture: Competition flares as more than 20 Yorkshire towns enter the race

Now a global spotlight is to shine on this storied history, with a flurry of bids under the new Town of Culture competition for 2028.

And what started as a trickle has turned to a torrent, with at least 20 Yorkshire towns now showing their hands.

In early submissions there is Batley and Barnsley, Bawtry, Beverley and Bridlington, just under ‘B’s. Public bids for Yorkshire are now thought to top 21.

Together they paint an incredible picture of Yorkshire’s arts offering and a rich vein of history that stretches back centuries.

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Otley Mayor, Coun Paul Carter, is among those to submit bids this week. This is a town, culturally, that “punches above its weight”, he said.

“This bid is about celebrating our history, but also about investing in our future,” he added.

“It’s creating opportunities for our community, raising our profile and making sure Otley continues to thrive for the next 800 years.”

And Barnsley councillor, Robin Franklin, said: “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.”

City of Culture, as the original competition, was first launched in 2009 and set about delivering a year of arts activities by drawing on each area’s strengths.

Hull was among the first success stories, in 2017, with claims it brought around £1bn in overall investment. Then for Bradford, for 2025, it has proved a “transformative” year.

Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, is among those to have encouraged others to enter this new competition.

“There are so many wonderful stories of the people and the place being told this year,” she said as it was announced in October. “It’s that authenticity that I’d commend.”

Now for towns, the Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) looks to build a “national story”.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, inset, said this a proven model of placemaking and pride. For too long, she added, towns’ talent and contribution “has gone unrecognised”.

Communities can bid under best small, medium, or large towns, with the winner to receive £3m for a year of cultural celebrations. Two finalists will also receive £250,000 to deliver an ambitious programme of cultural activity. Crucially, those that make the shortlist will also see £60,000 development grants.

Among those to enter is the historic market town of Knaresborough, so famous for its own quirks and cultural curiosities.

There’s the castle ruins, cobbled streets, painted windows and bed race. Then the prophetess, Mother Shipton, with her petrifying well turning objects into stone.

And in Helmsley, it was the town crier who formalised the bid. Local businesswoman Carolyn Frank, on local radio, said they “had to enter”.

“We’re passionate Yorkshire folk – - we don’t take ourselves too seriously but we’re seriously competitive,” she added. “Few towns can beat our unique cultural assets, our hospitality, or our beauty. Helmsley is a small town in this competition but we are truly mighty in it.”

The deadline for expressions of interest was Tuesday, with a shortlist to be revealed in spring. Winners will be announced early next year.

YORKSHIRE ​TOWNS THOUGHT TO HAVE ENTERED THE COMPETITION

Bawtry’s bid brings together the town’s “track record”, with Visit Bawtry chair Ross Jarvie saying: “Bawtry has a long history of cultural events and we are proud of their diversity.

From farmers’ markets to summer arts festivals, from Boxing Day hunt parades to Pride events, from heritage open days to Bike Nights — we try to have something for everyone.”

Bridlington has entered the race, with councillor Andy Walker stating there is more to the town than its historic culture.

He said: “It’s not just art and entertainment, it’s things such as the historic and music scene culture in the Old Town; we have the quay with all its fishing heritage; the history of gansies, and there’s so much more – Bridlington really is diverse.”

In Batley, bids are built around a theme ‘Made Here’, celebrating the town’s textile roots and its independent high street. Plans would see an incredible art installation.

In Barnsley, bidders say there is a strong story to tell. One of makers and poets, brass bands and wordsmiths. Of reinvention, and of renewal.

“Barnsley’s cultural landscape is rich, layered, and it’s deeply rooted in our heritage of making, music, and local community traditions,” said Coun Robin Franklin.

And in Beverley, its story celebrates 1,300 years of craft, music, learning and sanctuary.

Mayor Alison Healy, said: “This bid reflects Beverley at its very best: creative, welcoming, proud of its heritage and confident about its future.”

Driffield is described as the “capital of the wolds” as submissions share its agricultural traditions, market-town character, and sense of story.

This is a mix with a “compelling” narrative, said bidders, celebrating local legends from its Roman origins to the birthplace of a King, its markets and canals, railways and rich history.

There is also the curious tradition of scrambling – dating back at least 200 years – which sees local children showered with coins and sweets by shopkeepers each New Year.

Grimsby’s submission, detailing its founding on the legends of a Danish fisherman, said this is a story of “grit, innovation, and an unbreakable spirit.”

Halifax has also submitted a bid, building on its existing focus over 2024. Culture is, after all, Calderdale’s “superpower”, said town council bidders.

“Halifax has a real chance of winning, with its extraordinary heritage, showstopping events, unique landmarks and creative people,” they said. “Let’s get behind the bid and show the rest of the UK who we are.”

A focus of Harrogate’s origins as a spa town – and centering on its famous Stray and access to green spaces, sits high in its bid to be named capital of culture with a theme of water and wellbeing.

Already, it hosts world-standard events with the Great Yorkshire Show, Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival and Harrogate International Festival (HIF).

Helmsley is known for its open-air pool, walled gardens and abbey. And for the town crier, David Hinde, who announced the bid.

“Our story is rich with ancient pride,” he called. “The crown of Town of Culture is the honour we deserve.”

Also thought to have thrown its hat in the ring is Huddersfield, with local community-interest company CIC Hive Huddersfield leading the bid in a matter of a few short weeks, capturing the voices of those who call this textile community home.

Community collaboration is what shines through in Ilkley, bid organisers have said, with arts exhibitions and literature festivals and independent events.

Mayor Jane Gibson, said: “Ilkley has always had a strong cultural identity, rooted in its history as a spa town with a vibrant arts scene.

“With this bid, we’re excited to highlight what makes our town unique and share our community-led culture and creativity with the rest of the UK.

Keighley, famous for its steam railways and storied Brontë links, still has one of the oldest working – and prettiest – cinemas in Britain.

To town mayor Chris Herd, culture here isn’t just in galleries or on stages, but alive in its pride and its historic streets and green spaces.

“Keighley has always been a town with an extraordinary story to tell,” he said.

A steering group was set up to consider Malton and Norton’s joint bid, celebrating the two town’s united heritage, culture and creativity, and seeking the community’s thoughts.

Mexborough’s bid is backed by MP Ed Miliband who spoke of a “rich and diverse history”, its ornate Empress Ballroom with original 1920s decor, and its celebrated sons actor Brian Blessed and poet laureate Ted Hughes.

He also highlighted the town’s ceramic, locomotive and mining past, adding: “Mexborough has played a defining role in shaping the cultural heritage of the UK. Mexborough’s bid is built upon the town’s deep and enduring connection to the arts.”

Next year is to mark the 800th anniversary of Otley being granted a market charter in 1227, with bidders believing this legacy lives on today in a thriving arts community centred in its green landscapes and community groups.

A programme of celebrations would see a town-wide tapestry project, a pop-up museum, and regeneration for the riverside area.

Pocklington has thrown its hat in the ring. Known as the ‘gateway to the Wolds’, there is much to celebrate here in archaeology and the arts and in beautiful water gardens.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is among those to back bids for Richmond in his North Yorkshire constituency, speaking of its historic and cultural assets.

Among them, its Georgian Theatre Royal, the Green Howards Museum, Richmond Castle and arts events.

For a town of 8,000 people, Richmond packs an “astonishing amount “of culture into its narrow confines, bidders said, attracting visitors from a huge hinterland.

With a cathedral older than many nations and home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ripon has launched its bid under the theme of “Small City, Big Landscape”. Key to this is the idea of pilgrimage, shaping a year-long programme of cultural events.

It also shines a light on the Hornblower ceremony, still seen in the market each night as one of the world’s oldest civic traditions, and links to figures from Lewis Carroll to Wilfred Owen.

Along Yorkshire’s coastline there is Scarborough, as Britain’s first seaside resort, with its festivals and fairs, surfing and world-famous Stephen Joseph Theatre.

Then the famous and much-loved resort of Whitby, with its shipwrecks, fishing history and museums.