14/01/2026 - Permalink

Shropshire town councils encouraged to consider UK Town of Culture bid

Related topics: Economic growth / Leisure, culture and heritage

Shropshire Council has written to all town councils in its area to encourage them to express an interest in becoming UK Town of Culture 2028 – with Shropshire Council set to support the bid it feels has the best chance of success.

The Government has today (14 January) launched the UK Town of Culture 2028 programme, and towns across the country are invited to submit an Expression of Interest by 31 March 2026.

In a letter to town clerks, Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economic growth, invites them to indicate if they plan to apply, and why.

He says:

“This is a fantastic chance to showcase the cultural vibrancy of your town. Importantly, if any town in Shropshire is successful, the benefits will extend across the whole county—boosting tourism, investment, and community pride.”

All bids must come from a local partnership, which includes local councils. Shropshire Council doesn’t have the capacity to be involved with bids for every town but – if more one than one town indicates an intention to bid – the council will support the bid that it thinks has the greatest chance of success.

Councillor Wilson added:

“This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Shropshire’s rich culture and heritage. We look forward to hearing from town councils in our area and working together to make the most of this chance.

“If more than one town indicates an intention to bid, a small panel chaired by Cllr Heather Kidd, Leader of Shropshire Council, will consider which has the greatest chance of success and the greatest benefit for our beautiful county.”

Town clerks are asked to let Shropshire Council know by Friday 30 January if their town is considering a bid, and to summarise:

  • why their town should be Town of Culture, what ‘story’ does it have to tell.
  • what impact they want the project to deliver for the town.
  • any early details of the types of activity / cultural offer that they will include in the expression of interest.
  • the capacity/expertise that they have to deliver the programme.