Portsmouth's Culture Quest: Residents Weigh In on 2029 UK City Bid!

Portsmouth City Council is making a new attempt to become the UK City of Culture for 2029, and they are reaching out to residents, businesses, and visitors to get their opinions. The council announced in November that it would submit an expression of interest to the Department for Digital, Culture and Sport, which is the first step in the competition. The City of Culture title is given every four years to a city that then hosts a year-long celebration of arts, culture, and creativity. The aim is to boost the city’s economy, attract more tourists, and increase community pride.

To make sure their bid truly represents Portsmouth, the council has launched a survey. This survey asks people about the cultural activities they enjoy, what makes them proud of Portsmouth, and how they feel about the city’s cultural identity. The council believes that by gathering these opinions, they can create a bid that reflects the real spirit of Portsmouth. The last city to win the title was Bradford, which saw around three million visitors and received a lot of investment during its year as City of Culture.

Portsmouth has tried to win this title before. In 2017, the city competed with Southampton but did not make it to the final shortlist. Steve Pitt, the leader of Portsmouth City Council, said that culture is what makes Portsmouth unique, from its history to its creative communities. He wants everyone to have a say in shaping the city’s future. The council will submit its formal bid soon, and the longlist of possible winners will be announced in February. The survey is open until January 18, and the council encourages everyone to take part so that Portsmouth’s bid can be as strong as possible. Other cities are also planning to bid for the title, but Portsmouth hopes to stand out by showing the world what makes it special.