Hull shortlisted for UK 'Capital of Culture'

Hull's bid to become the UK's first ever Capital of Culture are still alive following the announcement that the city has made the final shortlist of 14.

The city has already beaten off competition from Manchester and Bradford who failed to be shortlisted from the 29 bids submitted.

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge today announced the final list of bidders vying to become the UK’s first City of Culture in 2013.  The full line-up of the judging panel that will make the final recommendation on which bid will win has also been announced.

Bids have come in from 14 places, made up from single cities or towns, closely linked cities and, in one case, a whole county.  The bidders are:

• Barnsley
• Birmingham
• Carlisle
• Chichester
• Cornwall
• Derry
• Durham
• Hull
• Ipswich and the Haven Gateway
• Norwich
• Portsmouth and Southampton
• Sheffield
• Southend
• Swansea

Margaret Hodge said:

“Culture changes people’s lives, and has the power to transform cities and economies.  This was brilliantly demonstrated by Liverpool last year.  Becoming City of Culture will help bring people together, both locally and from all over the country, to share experiences of something challenging, enlightening – and sometimes just good fun.  These 14 bidding areas now have a wonderful opportunity to bring culture into the heart - and to the forefront - of their communities and the country as a whole, pulling in investment and boosting tourism.

”We now have a really strong field, and I wish them all the very best of luck.”

ONE HULL Business Forum Project Development Officer, Ben Delaney, said:

"The Forum is supporting Hull's bid and it's excellent news that the city has made the shortlist given the fierce competition from cities across the UK."

"Hull has already succeeded where larger cities have failed. It shows we have been able to tell a positive story about the superb cultural offer of our great city, which is often under-estimated and over-looked.  Congratulations to those who have worked so hard on the bid."

The winning city will be provided with the title of UK City of Culture for their year, and given rights to the UK City of Culture brand, with scope to tailor it to their own city if desired.

The winner is expected to be announced in the summer.