Bridlington has missed out on a place on the shortlist to become the UK’s first Town of Culture, despite being among nearly 400 communities to enter the landmark national competition.
The town was one of four local bids submitted from the area, alongside Beverley, Driffield and Pocklington.
However, none of the East Riding’s entries secured a place among the final 15 shortlisted towns announced by the government.
The competition, which aims to celebrate the culture, heritage and creativity of towns across the UK, has shortlisted communities in three size categories.
The small town category includes Ilfracombe, the Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane and Stockton Town Centre Ward. Medium-sized towns shortlisted are Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd and Port Talbot, while the large town category features Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham.
Each shortlisted town will now receive £60,000 to develop a detailed final bid, which will be considered by an independent judging panel. One finalist will be selected from each category before an overall winner is announced early next year.
The UK Town of Culture competition forms part of the government’s wider Pride in Place Programme, which aims to restore civic pride and support regeneration in towns across the country over the coming decade.
While Bridlington’s bid, created by the Town Council, was unsuccessful at this stage, the town continues to build on its cultural offer, with major events, its historic Old Town, award-winning beaches and thriving arts scene remaining central to its identity and future ambitions.
