Corby makes UK Town of Culture 2028 shortlist

Corby has made it to the shortlist for the UK's first Town of Culture 2028.

Nearly 400 towns across Britain entered the competition, including four others in Northamptonshire - Northampton, Wellingborough, Kettering and Rothwell.

A total of 15 towns will now compete for the inaugural honour, with Corby pitted against Great Yarmouth in Norfolk in the medium towns category. Basildon in Essex has been shortlisted among the large towns.

Ian Murray, Minister of State for Culture, said: "Everyone should get involved and really champion the bid and put together the best possible bid that shows the best of Corby's heritage but also the best in what it can offer as a legacy."

The shortlist has been divided into three categories - small, medium and large towns.

Corby falls into the medium towns category with Great Yarmouth, Leith in Scotland, and Pontypridd and Port Talbot in Wales.

Shortlisted towns will now receive £60,000 each to develop their full bids, which will be assessed by the independent judging panel.

One finalist will then be selected from each category with the overall winner being announced early next year.

The government says the UK Town of Culture competition is part of its ambition to restore pride in local areas in every part of Britain, and deliver a decade of national renewal, following the announcement of the Pride in Place Programme last year.

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