Eastbourne misses out on UK Town of Culture shortlist
Eastbourne has failed to make the shortlist for the Government's UK Town of Culture award.
The competition, hosted by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), will see one town receive a £3 million prize as part of the Prime Minister's ‘ambition to restore pride in every part of Britain’.
It aims to ‘bring local investment, create a lasting sense of pride in towns, and open doors to the arts for everyone’, according to the DCMS.
Eastbourne Borough Council submitted its bid in January to become the inaugural recipient of the award.
The UK Government has now shortlisted 15 places across the nation – and Worthing hasn’t been included.
Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham are through in the large town category; Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd and Port Talbot in the medium town category, and Ilfracombe, the Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane and Stockton Town Centre Ward in the small town category.
Councillor Jenny Williams, Cabinet Member for Tourism and Place, said: "Our town is home to a vibrant programme of arts, culture and events, from our renowned theatres, iconic Bandstand, Towner Eastbourne and Devonshire Collective, to award-winning Airbourne, popular festivals and community-led projects that bring people together and enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike.
"It was testament to Eastbourne's creative community that over 50 people attended the workshop with such ideas and positivity about our town's future. That energy and joined-up thinking is exactly what this process was designed to bring out, and we don't intend to let it go to waste.
“We will continue to shine a light on our creative community and the outstanding work it does, so will keep working together, the council, our cultural partners and our communities, to build on what this application has shown the town can do.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “The fact that we received so many applications just goes to show how proud people are of their towns. When I launched this competition, I wanted to shine a light on our amazing towns all across the UK and the huge contribution they make to our national life.
“I am so glad that so many towns have applied and I hope each and every town, whether they have been shortlisted or not, is incredibly proud of the work they have done to champion their local community.”