What is UK City of Culture?

UK City of Culture is a competition run by UK Government DCMS – Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The designation of ‘City of Culture’ is given to a city in the United Kingdom for a period of one calendar year, during which the successful bidder hosts cultural festivities through culture-led regeneration for the year. Wrexham staged a remarkable UK City of Culture 2025 campaign, coming runner-up to Bradford, who hold the UK City of Culture 2025 title. Wrexham announced shortly after missing out our intention to bid for the 2029 award which would see the delivery of a year-long programme of cultural events staged in the County Borough.

Wrexham’s bid for City of Culture 2029 covers the entire county, not just the city centre, and winning the competition would be a once in a lifetime opportunity for a transformational change, bringing investment, jobs, pride and an international audience to Wrexham during a year of culture in 2029 and beyond. Coventry hosted over 700 events during their year of culture in 2021 and received investment to the sum of approx. £230m. Previous hosts Hull (2017) saw a huge boost to local economies, infrastructure and visitor numbers as a result of cultural regeneration and investment, while Bradford’s programme for 2025 features the hosting of the Turner Prize, projects featuring internationally-renowned artist David Hockney, magician Dynamo, award-winning musician Richard Hawley and much more.  A new UK City of Culture is announced every 4 years, and we believe 2029 is Wrexham’s opportunity to host this prestigious title and shine a spotlight on our unique culture and heritage, while investing in a bright future for the region.

Wrexham County Borough Council are working to develop infrastructure, establish key links and invest in projects with local significance, including working with Wrexham AFC to develop the Racecourse Ground, refurbishments to Wrexham’s heritage markets, creation of a brand new Football Museum for Wales, a growing large-scale events programme across the County Borough and the inception of the Wrexham Public Art Trail.

Wrexham Community & Culture Trust has now been established to lead on the UK City of Culture Bid, comprising of a diverse range of individuals with the necessary skillsets to further develop and nurture Wrexham’s cultural potential, putting community values at the heart of the organisation to ensure we continue to utilise culture to benefit everyone. Cultural and community leaders drawn from the Wrexham area and across Wales sit on the WCCT Board of Trustees to lead the Trust’s vision to nurture Wrexham’s creative potential and fulfil its mission to turbocharge Wrexham’s cultural ecosystem by collaborating, connecting, promoting and investing in Wrexham’s unique, diverse people.

It is anticipated that the bidding process for the competition will open later this year, and Wrexham will be ready to showcase why we are worthy winners!

Want to get involved? Get in touch with the team today via email on contact@wrecsam2029.wales.