Swindon has missed out on the shortlist for UK City of Culture 2029, with Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham selected to progress to the final stage of the national competition.
The Government announced the four successful locations on Thursday 22nd October, bringing an end to Swindon’s hopes of securing the prestigious title and the £10 million funding package available to the eventual winner.
However, the disappointment does not necessarily spell the end of Swindon’s cultural ambitions, with the bid having brought together artists, businesses, community organisations and residents around a shared vision for the town’s future.
Swindon was among nine places longlisted in March, alongside Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth, which have also missed out on progressing further.
The town’s bid was developed through a partnership between Swindon Borough Council and Swindon Culture Collective, with thousands of residents contributing ideas through community events, workshops and public engagement activities.
Under the banner We Dream in Public, the proposal aimed to celebrate Swindon’s railway heritage, creativity and innovation while encouraging greater participation in arts and culture across the Borough.
Plans included community-led cultural activities, volunteering opportunities, skills development and investment in the people and spaces needed to strengthen Swindon’s cultural offering.
Although Swindon will not receive the £10 million prize, the work undertaken to develop the bid could still shape the town’s cultural future.
The UK City of Culture competition takes place every four years, meaning a future bid for the 2033 title could provide another opportunity, should the council and its partners decide to pursue it.
The Government has acknowledged that unsuccessful bids can still deliver lasting benefits, particularly by helping places develop cultural strategies and establish partnerships.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
“For all those places that have not made the shortlist, your journey does not end here.”
She added:
“Their energy, enthusiasm and cultural contribution is seen and valued and the bids you have created will open up opportunities for years to come.”
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has confirmed that all unsuccessful bidders will receive detailed feedback identifying areas for development, with further engagement planned to help them maintain momentum and pursue their ambitions.
Swindon Culture Collective is already delivering a two-year programme of cultural activity, supported in part by £600,000 from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Place Partnership Fund.
The Borough also has an established programme of cultural events, including Swindon MELA, the Festival of Literature, Signal Festival and Festival of Tomorrow, alongside a growing network of independent artists and creative organisations.
For now, the focus could shift towards building on the partnerships established during the bid, expanding opportunities for local artists and community groups, and using the Government’s feedback to strengthen any future application.
Swindon Borough Council’s formal response to the shortlist announcement is awaited. The winner of UK City of Culture 2029 is expected to be announced in early 2027.
