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Barnsley’s bid to be Town of Culture about to be submitted to Government
Barnsley’s bid to be UK Town of Culture 2028 will begin next week when a formal Expression of Interest is submitted to the government.
It was announced four weeks ago that a group of organisations were working together on a bid for Barnsley to become UK Town of Culture 2028 and secure the £3 million prize to deliver a transformational cultural programme.
Since then, dozens of creative individuals, groups and cultural organisations have expressed their support. A wide array of partners from across the Borough working together have prepared a compelling case to government which will be formally submitted next week. More organisations will have the opportunity to be involved if Barnsley successfully makes it to the next stage.
Many independent creatives have also attended sessions and helped input into the bid. They include local renowned poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan. Ian said:
“I’m proud to support our bid to become Town of Culture because, let’s face it, we could have laid down and died after the devastation of the 1980s but we didn’t: we reinvented ourself as a place that celebrated the past and looked to the future.
“I travel all over the place and I know that the world’s idea of Barnsley is changing; we’re seen as a place where creativity matters, where stories can be told and songs can be sung and art can be made by anyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from.
“I already tell people I’m from a cultural town; I can’t wait to tell them I live in the Town of Culture.”
Winning UK Town of Culture 2028 would be an opportunity to recognise and build on the wealth of creativity already happening right across the borough. It would be a chance to bring together every part of our cultural landscape to stage an inspirational cultural programme for all residents, businesses and visitors to take part in.
The Expression of Interest has been shaped by consultation and engagement with local people and a wide range of groups and organisations, with ‘warmth and honesty’ identified as our defining qualities. It describes Barnsley as a phoenix risen from the ashes following the challenges of the last century, determined to shape its own future with confidence and optimism. We’re a town that has faced adversity and forged world-influencing changes.
It tells the selection panel how a culture‑led renaissance has transformed the town centre creating a confident cultural hub that connects heritage, creativity and public life. Town of Culture will help us build on this momentum, with cross-Barnsley cultural programme which will reach all corners of the borough, including all our Principal Towns of Cudworth, Goldthorpe, Hoyland, Royston, Penistone and Wombwell, as well as our other local centres and villages right across the borough. This will help bring back a sense of belonging and unity.
Leader of Barnsley Council, Cllr Sir Steve Houghton CBE, said:
“Winning Town of Culture will be an incredible opportunity for Barnsley. It will bring millions of pounds of investment, which will allow us to build hugely on the wealth of talent and cultural opportunity that we already have.
“We’re a town of makers, craft, textiles, performing arts, music, writing, film, hands‑on skills and, increasingly, digital arts and creativity. Thousands of people engage in a wide array of cultural experiences every week whether they’re attending a performance or attraction, practising a talent at home on their own, in school, or in a group, or even competing in national and international competitions like our world-famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band and Barnsley Youth Choir.
“Through Town of Culture, we’ll be able to celebrate all of that, and deliver a cultural programme that will have a lasting legacy and everyone will be able to say they were here.
“My thanks go to everyone who has contributed to the consultation and to the expression of interest, and to everyone who is supporting our bid. Please keep doing so and help us make Barnsley UK Town of Culture.”
One of the key priorities for Barnsley as the Place of Possibilities is that everyone has the opportunity to create wider social connections and enjoy cultural experiences.
The Town of Culture competition is designed to strengthen local pride and identity, drive inclusive economic growth, expand access to high-quality cultural experiences and encourage collaboration across cultural, civic, and community sectors.
If successful in the Expression of Interest stage and Barnsley makes the shortlist, we’ll be invited later in the Spring to submit a full application. The winning town will be announced in 2027.
