The longlist for the 2029 UK City of Culture has been announced – and it’s fair to say there are a few surprises in there, alongside some much more obvious contenders.
From well-known cities to places you might not immediately associate with a cultural crown, there’s plenty to debate.
Judges will now whittle the nine contenders down before one is handed £10 million to spend on a year of cultural events, while three runners-up will receive £125,000 grants. But who deserves the big prize?
We’ve ranked all nine from least convincing to the one we think should be taking home the £10 million.
9. Sheffield
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Sheffield stands head and shoulders above the other candidates
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Can I shock you? I like Sheffield, despite ranking it ninth on this list. And culturally, I’d say it stands head and shoulders above the other candidates.
My problem is that there’s nothing this award will do for the city that Pulp, Sean Bean and snooker haven’t already achieved.
It’s on the map already and there are places on the longlist where the money will simply be more beneficial.
8. Wrexham
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Actor Ryan Reynolds is drawing people to Wrexham
I’ve been to Wrexham. It’s nice. But, for this award, we’re expected to assess it based on its cultural output.
Though the town will point to its public art trail and Ty Pawb community centre, nice as those things are, the main reason people are now flocking to Wrexham is Ryan Reynolds.
It’s the nouveau riche, Manchester City of the longlist and is doing well enough on its own.
7. Milton Keynes
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Milton Keynes has several places of cultural significance
As a football fan, it’s still hard to forgive Milton Keynes for the relocation of Wimbledon.
But it’s also hard to argue against Bletchley Park, the National Bowl and Concrete Cows as places of cultural significance.
Nevertheless, for Vinnie Jones’ sake, seventh is where I’m putting it.
6. Blackpool
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Blackpool is nicknamed the ‘Las Vegas of the North’
Blackpool is possibly the UK’s most misunderstood town, unfairly dismissed due to an image of kitschy ‘kiss me quick hats’ and sticks of rock.
But it’s a place – nicknamed ‘Las Vegas of the North’ – where working-class culture has thrived for decades, while the new Showtown museum celebrates its place at the heart of show business.
Then there’s the magnificent Opera House and Winter Gardens, the Grundy Art Gallery and Stanley Gardens – all parts of Blackpool that don’t get enough credit.
5. Ipswich
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Ipswich has an impressive riverfront and plenty of charm and history to offer
For many people, Ipswich is Ed Sheeran, a yo-yo football club and little else.
But that’s because they overlook its charm, its history and its riverfront, with the river itself even giving George Orwell his pen name.
It’s lousy with glorious medieval churches and other unique buildings that have been constructed throughout its long and storied past, with the town existing in one form or another since the 7th century.
It’s a town deserving of higher praise than it usually gets.
4. Swindon
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Swindon should be celebrated for its innovation, creativity and ambition
For 25 years, the ‘Swindon lot’ have been unfortunately associated with a punchline in The Office about being ‘little slugs with no personalities’.
But the self-confessed ‘town that dreams in public’ wants to be, and should be, celebrated for its innovation, creativity and ambition.
It’s built a youth-focused bid, highlighting things like democratic futures, youth-led change, technology, climate imagination and collective storytelling.
I’m placing fourth, but I wouldn’t begrudge it being given the title, or at least one of the runner-up spots.
3. Inverness-Highlands
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Inverness would be the first Scottish city to hold the title if it won
Inverness has made some exciting promises about what we can expect as part of its bid, including robotics, AI and gaming, which will feature alongside ‘traditional elements’ like Gaelic, the environment and music.
A Scottish city has never held the title before, either, so it would be groundbreaking for somewhere in the Highlands to take the crown.
What’s more, the bid has enlisted the help of youth champions to show that the region’s culture encompasses much more than stuffy museums.
It’s different, it’s wholesome and I’m on board.
2. Portsmouth
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Portsmouth has a long list of notable people who all hail from the city
The list of cultural assets associated with Portsmouth is far longer than you may first imagine.
Charles Dickens, Peter Sellers, Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Emma Barton from Eastenders all hail from the seaside city. What’s more, it’s home to the Mary Rose and the D Day Story Museum, too.
Sure, it may have been the last place in the UK to imprison someone for witchcraft, but if you can look past that for the place where Rudyard Kipling grew up, if you can keep your head while everyone else around you is losing theirs (and saying Wrexham is better), then Portsmouth’s could be the £10 million prize – and everything in it.
What’s more, you’ll have given the money to a city that really deserves it, my son.
1. Middlesbrough
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Middlesborough has lots to offer and is on the up
Celebrating the culture of a place that gave the world Roy Chubby Brown feels a little insincere, but hear me out: Middlesbrough is on the up.
This year will see it host the Turner Prize, while the art both on show at the Mima and being created in the studios at The Auxiliary demonstrates a more creative side to the ‘Boro than outsiders may expect.
Add to that the fact that the parmo and Juninho’s right foot both belong in museums and you’ve got yourself a perfect candidate for the £10m. Long live the Boronaissance.
Credit: BBC
