An expression of interest has been submitted for the Borderlands region to be the 2025 UK City of Culture.
It is believed to be a first for the national competition in that it incorporates the five different local authority areas of Carlisle, Cumbria, Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway and Northumberland – who make up the Borderlands Partnership.
The idea was first put forward by the South of Scotland Enterprise, a group set up to tackle inequality and increase competitiveness in southern Scotland.
“It is quite innovative in that they’ve put in a regional application – with Carlisle in the middle – rather than a big city like Hull or Manchester,” said Carlisle MP John Stevenson.
“It is a bit different, a bit unusual, but why not?”
The deadline for expressions of interest was Monday, with up to six locations then shortlisted. Successful applicants will be announced in September and then will have until January 2022 to submit full bids.
The successful location will be announced in May 2022.
“It is novel but we have a lot to offer and it is something different to a traditional city,” said Mr Stevenson.
“The city (Carlisle) has quite a bit in terms of its cultural offering. It is potentially really good for Carlisle.”
He pointed to Carlisle Castle, Tullie House, Hadrian’s Wall and the rural environment in the area as just a few examples of what Carlisle has to offer.
“I will certainly be getting behind it,” said the MP.
“It puts the region on the map and it makes people think, ‘Okay, I might want to visit’ and people might decide they would like to live and work here.”
The key themes of the bid
- Just Transition of Net Zero – using culture to create new stories for the journey ahead, while being aligned to the drive for net-zero carbon emissions. By exploring the region’s heritage, culture and creativity, the bid will aim to create opportunities for future development and ultimately bring investment into the region.
- Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal – the submission ties in with the theme of the recently signed deal.
- Improving Places – will capitalise on the heritage, cultural and recreational assets to promote the region as a destination to visit and as a place to live and work.
- Encouraging Green Growth – will look to capitalise on the green credentials of the region, to facilitate decarbonisation and the creation of new high value jobs supporting low carbon energy generation and carbon reduction schemes.
Potential benefits
This year’s winner Coventry is expected to see an economic boost of £211m and an additional 2.5m visitors.
It is hoped that it will attract about 10,000 volunteers and create more than 900 jobs.
What is Borderlands?
- The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal was formally signed on March 18, bringing in up to £452m of fresh investment to the Borderlands area. Ministers of the UK and Scottish Governments and representatives of the five councils of the Borderlands Partnership signed the deal at a virtual ceremony.
- The deal covers the largest geographical area of any regional growth deal negotiated with the UK and Scottish Governments and it is the first cross-border deal.
- The five partners across the Borderlands region are Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Northumberland County Council and Scottish Borders Council.
“We are pleased to be part of this unique opportunity which supports and builds on the work of the Borderlands Partnership, following the recent signing of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal,” said Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council and co-chair of the Borderlands Partnership.
“Our shared ambition includes attracting new residents and welcoming more visitors to enjoy the beautiful natural environment and the cultural assets of the region – I hope that this bid will enhance and support our Deal and its projects.”
South of Scotland Enterprise chair, Professor Russel Griggs OBE said: “This truly is a unique UK City of Culture bid and one all partners involved in believe is worth progressing.
“A successful bid can have a transformational impact for a city or region. By combining the efforts of the Borderlands partners, our bid now has the creative and cultural talent of five areas, providing a significant and varied offering which we believe is worth telling across the country, and beyond.
“Coupled with our natural landscape, our people, our heritage and our joint journey to Net Zero, we believe the Borderlands is the right place at the right time to take forward this exciting opportunity for our region.”
