Milton Keynes makes 2029 City of Culture shortlist

Milton Keynes has made the shortlist to be named as the 2029 City of Culture.

It was only given the civic honour of city status in 2022, as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, but is now one of four places competing for the prize, which will be awarded early next year.

It will compete with Wrexham, Sheffield and Blackpool for the accolade, with a panel of judges including the creator of Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks, Sir Phil Redmond, due to visit each one before making a final decision.

Jane Carr, the Liberal Democrat leader of the city council, said: "This is a huge honour and a tribute to the hard work and vision of everyone who has helped to shape Milton Keynes' bid."

Each shortlisted place will get at least £125,000 to take forward elements of their bid, with the winner due to receive £10m to help develop cultural events.

Carr said: "The last nine months have been nothing short of inspiring.

"Thousands of residents, organisations and the creative community came together to develop our bid.

"We're now on the cusp of the 60th anniversary of our founding and have so much to look forward to during this landmark year and beyond.

"Whoever is announced as the winner next year, we will enter our 60th year with our heads held high and know that – as our bid sets out – we're just getting started."

One of its competitors is Wrexham, which was also awarded city status in 2022, and is famous for its Disney Plus documentary, Welcome to Wrexham, featuring Hollywood stars and football club owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Sheffield, meanwhile, has put steel-making on the map and is the birthplace of bands like the Arctic Monkeys and Pulp.

Despite the awards title, larger towns are also able to bid for the prize, with Blackpool the fourth candidate on the shortlist.

Milton Keynes hosts a variety of cultural events, including the summer music festival Reggae Land at the National Bowl, where local poet Maureen Onwunali performed her 'Ode to Milton Keynes' to officially launch the city's bid.

By 2029, subject to public consultation, it could be home to a "world-class" £76m 4,000-capacity entertainment venue at Elder Gate.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "Every place has a story worth telling of its own unique history, identity and contribution. It has been amazing to see this year's bidders for UK City of Culture showcase what makes their community claim such a special place in our national story."

If Milton Keynes is successful it will follow in the footsteps of Derry in Northern Ireland, Hull, Coventry and Bradford.

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