The UK City of Culture shortlist has been revealed to include Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham.

In a statement today, the Government confirmed that these four areas could be in with a chance of winning the 2029 title and its £10m prize fund.

The winner can expect to unlock the ‘significant benefits’ of boosted investment, better access to cultural activities, and a surge in new jobs across its communities.

According to the Government, the UK City of Culture expert advisory panel recommended the four places for the shortlist, from a wider list that included Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Swindon. 

The competition is an element of the Government’s commitment to increasing pride in each part of the country and driving economic growth by devolving power to local leaders.

A minimum of £125,000 is to be handed to each shortlisted location to support their bids, which will contain a rationale for how they plan to ‘use culture as a catalyst to transform their place and the lives of communities through boosting growth, opportunities and pride.’

The winner of the title is to be announced early next year, with the competition being delivered by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in partnership with the devolved governments in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

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Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: ‘Every place has a story worth telling of its own unique history, identity and contribution. It has been amazing to see this year’s bidders for UK City of Culture showcase what makes their community claim such a special place in our national story.

‘Great culture is everywhere, but the opportunity to showcase it, to put it on display and to show how it is woven into our national story is not.’