Leith makes shortlist for first-ever UK Town of Culture title after 'people-powered' bid
The panel will now select the best small, medium and large town from the shortlist, with the overall winner being announced early next year
Leith has been revealed as one of fifteen towns shortlisted to become the UK’s first-ever UK Town of Culture, after a successful bid backed by more than 70 local organisations and public figures including Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh.
The historic port, which was selected from almost 400 applications, is now one step closer to claiming the title for 2028.
The winning town is set to receive a three million pound grant to deliver a six-month cultural programme of events, while the runners up will receive £250,000 to help deliver elements of their bid.
The fifteen shortlisted towns will now receive £60,000 to work on their full bids, which will be assessed by an independent judging panel.
The panel will then recommend the best small, medium and large town, with the overall winner being announced early next year.
Leith’s bid was put together by a group of volunteers and was supported by more than 30 organisations, including Hibernian Football Club, Leith School of Art and Historic Environment Scotland.
Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh, Idlewild guitarist Rod Jones and radio presenter Vic Galloway also publicly backed the application.
The proposed programme of events would mark 900 years since the first documented records of Leith, and includes plans for large-scale events on the waterfront, community-led festivals and one million pound Community Culture Fund.
The fourteen other shortlisted towns are Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane, Stockton Town Centre Ward, Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd, Port Talbot, Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham.
Leith is classed as a ‘medium town’ and will compete against Corby, Great Yarmouth, Pontypridd and Port Talbot to make the final shortlist.
Volunteers in Dalkeith, Penicuik and North Berwick also submitted applications but were unsuccessful.
The UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I want to say a massive congratulations to the fifteen shortlisted towns and I wish them luck in the next round of the competition.
“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.”
Midlothian MP Kirsty McNeill, who is also Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, said: “Scotland has an extraordinary cultural heritage, and the presence of three Scottish towns on the UK Town of Culture competition shortlist is a testament to the richness and diversity of communities across the country.
“From island life to historic port towns, each of these places has a unique story to tell, and I know that each bid reflects the genuine passion and pride that local people have for where they live.
“The UK Government is committed to ensuring that culture belongs everywhere, and I'm delighted that Scottish towns are so strongly represented."