We’re proud to be backing the bid for Blackpool to become UK City of Culture 2029 – and we’re calling on our members, town centre businesses and the wider community to get behind it too.
Blackpool is bidding to become the next UK City of Culture, with the campaign describing itself as “eclectic” and “electric” – a celebration of Blackpool as Britain’s favourite playground. The bid promises a programme spanning everything from large-scale flagship events to grassroots neighbourhood talent, uniting residents and visitors alike in a shared celebration of creativity.
As the organisation representing town centre businesses and working to drive footfall, investment and growth across the district, we believe this bid represents a rare and significant opportunity for Blackpool’s economy.
Why This Matters for Our Town Centre
For our members and the wider business community, a successful City of Culture bid could mean a sustained boost in visitor numbers, increased investment in the town centre, and a level of national and international exposure that would be difficult to achieve through any other route. Previous UK City of Culture title holders have seen significant upticks in tourism, cultural investment and regeneration in the years surrounding their tenure, and we believe Blackpool is well placed to see similar benefits.
Beyond the immediate economic case, we’re excited by the longer-term legacy potential of the bid – from strengthened partnerships between businesses and cultural organisations, to a renewed sense of pride and identity for our town centre.
Sue Grindrod, Managing Director of Blackpool BID, said:
“As representatives of Blackpool’s business, tourism, hospitality, retail, creative and wider economic sectors, we are proud to offer our wholehearted support for Blackpool’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029.”
“For Blackpool’s businesses, UK City of Culture 2029 would be a transformational opportunity. It would attract new audiences, increase footfall, extend dwell time, support overnight stays, encourage investment, create jobs and strengthen confidence across the town centre and visitor economy. It would also provide a powerful platform for collaboration between businesses, cultural organisations, community groups, education providers and public partners.”
What We’re Doing to Support the Bid
We’re encouraging our members and the wider business community to actively get behind the campaign in the coming months. This includes:
- Sharing information about the bid across our channels and with town centre businesses
- Encouraging our members to publicly back the bid and add their voice to the campaign
- Highlighting the opportunities the bid presents for tourism, hospitality and retail businesses across the district
We’re urging local businesses, residents and visitors alike to show their support and help make the case for Blackpool on the national stage.
How to Get Involved
If you want to support Blackpool’s bid, you can find out more and add your backing via the official campaign channels:
Learn more about the bid: www.visitblackpool.com/blackpool-city-of-culture
Back the bid: www.visitblackpool.com/blackpool-city-of-culture/back-blackpool-s-bid
We’ll continue to update our members and the wider community as the bid progresses.