By KLTV Newsdesk – 

Government launches new £3m competition as local Greens urge Huddersfield to showcase its cultural strength

Green Party councillors in Kirklees are calling for Huddersfield to bid to become the UK’s first ever Town of Culture.

The call follows a government announcement this week launching a new national competition that will see one town awarded the title of UK Town of Culture in 2028.

The successful town will receive £3 million in funding to deliver a year-long cultural programme.

Small, medium and large towns are invited to express an interest by the end of March, with a shortlist expected to be announced in the Spring.

The government says the initiative will help create a lasting sense of pride in communities, attract investment and make the arts more accessible to all.

“Huddersfield Has a Good Story to Tell”

Local Green Party councillors believe Huddersfield should seize the opportunity to highlight its rich and diverse cultural offer.

Group Leader, Cllr Andrew Cooper, said: “Huddersfield has a vibrant cultural scene driven by committed individuals and communities that enrich the lives of thousands in our town.

“By winning the UK Town of Culture, we don’t just access government funding, but we could help bring a positive vibe that we so desperately need in Huddersfield.

“Huddersfield has a good story to tell. We are the home to the Mrs Sunderland Competition, the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and young, exciting bands and singer-songwriters.

“We could give a real boost to the town’s music venues, from the small ones like Northern Quarter on Wood Street to Huddersfield Town Hall.

“There are also wider arts projects such as drama, local artists and great projects like the textile arts festival, Woven.”

The Deighton and Huddersfield Carnivals have been staple events in the calendar for years, bringing joy and culture to thousands each year

Learning from Bradford’s Success

Cllr Cooper also pointed to the economic impact of Bradford’s time as UK City of Culture as evidence of the potential benefits for Huddersfield.

He said: “For every £1 invested in Bradford City of Culture, it generated £26 in added value to the city and brought three million extra visitors.

“Kirklees is investing millions in its Cultural Heart project for Huddersfield. We should be using this investment to attract the £3m of government funding that is on offer and help boost our town.

“There are also significant opportunities to attract National Lottery Heritage Funds and Arts Council grants. We should not miss the chance of bringing substantial funding to Huddersfield.

“I’m keen that any bid we make should be led by the many cultural organisations and individuals in the cultural sector that make up our town. It should not be just another Kirklees Council project.”

Celebrating Drama and the Performing Arts

Cllr Cooper’s colleague, Cllr Karen Allison, highlighted the importance of drama and performance in Huddersfield’s cultural life.

Cllr Allison sits on the Board of Lawrence Batley Theatre and is the Wardrobe Mistress at Longwood Amateur Theatre Company.

She said: “Drama in our Town brings joy and enjoyment to thousands in our town, throughout the year.

“Whether it is Newsome Scouts Panto or the great productions we have at Lawrence Batley Theatre, the performing arts is something that young and old participate in.

“We have so much going for us in Huddersfield, drama, dance, music, the visual arts.

“We need to celebrate that and use it as a catalyst to take our town forward.

“We do a lot already in the arts sector but could do lots more with the proper funding and support.”

Next Steps

Expressions of interest for the UK Town of Culture competition must be submitted by the end of March, with the winning town set to be announced following a shortlist later in the year.

What are your thoughts? Should Huddersfield bid to become the first ever Town of Culture? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.