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Bradford named UK City of culture for 2025
Bradford locals were seen celebrating on the streets following the announcement
Bradford has been crowned UK City of Culture 2025, securing millions of pounds of future funding and investment.
The West Yorkshire city, already celebrated for its diversity, faced tough competition from Durham, Southampton and Wrexham to win the award.
It has taken the title from Coventry, which managed to attract £172million worth of investment after being awarded City of Culture in December 2017 (though this was delayed until May 2021 thanks to the Covid pandemic).
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries announced the winner live on BBC One’s The One Show last night, after months of competition for the title.
Dorries said Bradford was a ‘worthy winner’ of the 2025 title, saying: “Art and culture should be accessible to everyone and this prestigious title will help Bradford deliver unforgettable events for communities on their doorstep.
“There was stiff competition and I thank County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough for their excellent bids.
“Coventry has shown us how powerful the UK city of culture title is at boosting investment, attracting visitors and leaving a lasting legacy for local people.”
Susan Hinchcliffe, the leader of Bradford Council, said the award will bring ‘so many opportunities’ to the city as well as a boost in employment.
She said: “We’re delighted that our district has been recognised in this way.
“Being UK City of Culture brings with it so many opportunities for people not only in terms of creativity and culture, but also for employment, attracting inward investment, boosting the local economy and opening up opportunities for young people to enhance their skills.
“The way that people from across the district have got behind the bid and the confidence people are now starting to show, the Bradford district has started to come to life like never before.”
Bradford will now receive £275,000 in initial seed funding to kick start the city’s development plans for 2025.
And, for the first time in the history of the UK City of Culture competition, each of the runners up will also receive a grant of £125,000 to go towards the best parts of their bids.
The benefits of winning the City of Culture title include attracting millions of pounds in additional investment to help boost regeneration, a year in the cultural spotlight with hundreds of events encouraging long-lasting participation in the arts, and growth for local tourism.
The previous winner Coventry was able to secure £172million in investment and funding for music concerts, public art displays, the UK’s first permanent immersive digital art gallery, a new children’s play area in the centre of the city, the new Telegraph Hotel and improvements to public transport.
More than £150 million of public and private sector investment was invested into the 2013 winner Derry, while the 2017 winner Hull saw a 10% increase in visitor numbers during its tenure.