Berwick in for UK Town of Culture and seeks public's help
£3m funding up for grabs
Berwick-upon-Tweed is the latest North East town to throw its hat into the ring to be the first UK Town of Culture in 2028.
It joins North Shields (North Tyneside) and Bishop Auckland (County Durham) which have already put themselves forward as contenders.
That will come as no surprise to those who have been following the Berwick story over the past few years – and particularly the developments planned or ongoing at Berwick Barracks and The Maltings arts centre.
The redevelopment of the latter is expected to be completed in 2028 while the Living Barracks project, due to run until the end of that year, will see Berwick Barracks and its various attractions dramatically improved and upgraded.
Berwick Town Council, The Maltings (Berwick) Trust, The Straw Yard (the new cultural space now home to Tortive Theatre) and the long-established Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival are joining forces to develop a formal ‘Expression of Interest’ in the small towns category.
Expressions of Interest are invited from towns categorised as small (under 20,000 residents), medium (20,000 to 75,000) and large (over 75,000).
Of the best in all three categories, one will be chosen to be UK Town of Culture while the other two will each receive £250,000 to deliver an ambitious programme of cultural activity in 2028.
Wide-ranging consultations will now take place in Berwick – with civic leaders, community partners, festivals, venues and local creatives but also, crucially, with the general public.
Three drop-in sessions have been arranged so that anybody can play a part in shaping the Expression of Interest.
They are at…
Maltings @ 14 Hide Hill (temporary home of The Maltings while the arts centre work is carried out) which will be open until February 22, from 3pm to 6pm.
The Straw Yard (Parade, The Barracks, TD15 1DF) on Wednesday, February 18, 10am to 2pm.
Then at Berwick Town Council on Thursday, February 19, 10am to 12 noon.
The UK Town of Culture programme, launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), follows the success of the UK City of Culture idea.
It offers towns across the country the opportunity to showcase their cultural identity, creativity and community pride on a national stage.
Before winners are announced and funding allocated, that formal Expression of Interest must be submitted to the DCMS by March 31.
Ultimately, the winning bid will place a strong emphasis on culture for everyone, community participation, young people and the ability to deliver an innovative, ambitious programme firmly rooted in its location.
In Berwick, regardless of what happens, the process of developing an Expression of Interest is seen as a valuable way of strengthening ties within the town, raising its profile and boosting culture-led regeneration.
David Smith, MP for North Northumberland, said “I am delighted that Berwick is bidding to become the first ever UK Town of Culture.
“No place has a history or identity quite like Berwick’s and this bid is a chance to celebrate the town’s unique story and showcase the creativity, resilience and strong sense of community of which people in Berwick are rightly proud.
“I fully support this effort and the ambition it represents for Berwick’s future.”
Berwick town councillor Philip Rowe said: “This is about more than a title.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to work collaboratively for the whole of Berwick and surrounding villages, celebrate what already exists and imagine what culture in Berwick could become over the coming years – not just in our venues but across the whole town: our schools, our communities and every aspect of daily life.
“Together we’ll shape a strong and competitive Expression of Interest that reflects and celebrates Berwick’s amazing character, creativity and ambition, and ensure that local voices are at the heart of the bid process.”
A shortlist of towns is expected to be announced by the DCMS in the spring.
In the meantime, an online survey – accessible here - has been set up to enable Berwick residents to share their thoughts.