Middlesbrough misses City of Culture shortlist but plans Boro 2030

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

Middlesbrough has missed out on the shortlist for UK City of Culture 2029, with Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham advancing instead.

Middlesbrough has missed out on the shortlist for UK City of Culture 2029. Judges confirmed the final four locations as Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham. The town had been longlisted alongside nine other locations after launching its bid in March, with more than 2,000 residents, arts and community organisations and local businesses contributing to the proposal.

Middlesbrough Council has announced it will stage Boro 2030, an ambitious programme of events to celebrate the town's 200th birthday. The council says the initiative will build on ideas from the City of Culture bid. Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said the bid process had galvanised people across the town. He said: 'We're disappointed not to have made the final four but we're proud that the bid process has brought people together around a shared ambition for Middlesbrough. It has shown what we can achieve when we believe in ourselves. We've taken knockbacks before and we've always come back stronger, that's just part of who we are.'

Local MP Andy McDonald expressed disappointment with the decision but praised Middlesbrough's cultural scene. He highlighted recent successes including hosting the Turner Prize at the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, Art Week and the Twisterella Music Festival. He also pointed to the town's reputation in gaming, noting the recent Game Republic New Horizons conference which attracted 'the Father of the PlayStation'. McDonald said Middlesbrough would continue pushing forward with its cultural ambitions.

How it is being reported

• 'We'll dust ourselves down' after culture snubMiddlesbrough misses out on the UK City of Culture shortlist for 2029, but "will come back stronger".BBC Tees · 22 Oct, 06:17
• MP's disappointment as North East misses out on City of Culture shortlistA North East MP has expressed his disappointment after Middlesbrough missed out on a place on the shortlist for UK City of Culture 2029.The Northern Echo · 22 Oct, 05:30
• 'Boro 2030' events announced as Middlesbrough misses out on City of Culture shortlistMiddlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke said: 'We've taken knockbacks before and we’ve always come back stronger, that's just part of who we are'TeessideLive · 22 Oct, 00:01

In this story: Middlesbrough · Blackpool · Milton Keynes · Sheffield · Wrexham · Chris Cooke · Andy McDonald

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