Conwy council set to make expression of interest for UK City of Culture 2025

Conwy County Borough Council is expected submit an expression of interest for the 2025 round of the award, run by the UK Government Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) every four years.

For the first time, groups of towns are able to join and apply for the title to be awarded to their local area, widening the scope of areas that could benefit.

It is expected that the local authority’s bid will include the hinterland around Conwy town, running along the North Wales coast to the hills of Snowdonia.

Winning localities experience a major boost in tourism from the UK and abroad, while the competition can also attract investment and businesses.

The UK City of Culture 2021 was given to Coventry, with previous winners including Derry and Londonderry in 2013 and Hull who had their year in 2017.

The bid was raised in a discussion of the council's Cultural Strategy for Conwy County 2021-2026 at the Economy & Place Scrutiny Committee meeting on Wednesday.

According to early proposals, the Economy and Culture Service will act as lead bidder, with the Strategic Director of Economy and Place having overall responsibility.

A number of staff sit on the Culture Strategy steering group, which will act as the bid team during the expression of interest stage.

MS for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders, said she would give her “wholehearted support” to the bid.

She said: “I am incredibly pleased to hear that Conwy County Borough Council will look to make an expression of interest to become the 2025 UK City of Culture – a move which will build on their ambitious and creative Cultural Strategy for Conwy County 2021-2026. This proposal has my wholehearted support.

Llandudno Pier. The bid could include towns along the Conwy coast. Picture: Kerry Roberts

“This bid is exactly the move needed to assist our region’s economic recovery, and will support the tremendous artistic talents that we are lucky to have helped nurtured. This would also be a real boost to our thriving community sector, which has more than 20 active history and heritage groups.

“Pride of place in our proposal would be the new Conwy Culture Centre - a £4 million project which was part funded by the National Lottery Heritage fund and other supporters. As the gateway to the story of Conwy County, this hub would be a natural fit to bring together the best creative and industry talent in the area to support a future cultural programme for 2025.

The bid area could also include parts of Conwy that sit within the Snowdonia National Park.

“A successful bid would show the world how culturally distinctive Conwy county truly is, with a flourishing arts scene and world-beating heritage sites. With our region widely known as the adventure capital of Wales, this event would help to draw visitors to our heritage sites and ensure a more prosperous future for all.”

Economy and Culture employs nearly 600 staff with a wide range of specialist expertise across theatres, archives, museums, events, assets, and infrastructure.