Lancashire’s bid for UK City of Culture 2025 builds momentum
Debbi Lander, Lancashire 2025 bid director, commented: “Our vision and ambition to bring Lancashire together to form one virtual city was developed before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, but it remains a timely idea which is more pertinent, and more critical, now than ever. There is an urgent need to invest in culture and creativity, both for recovery and reinvention. I believe that it is testament to the vision and determination of this county and its leadership that they want us to continue pushing culture forwards with this initiative.
“Culture matters now, it mattered before and it will matter tomorrow. Lancashire 2025 is a bold new vision for culture, commerce and creative communities. It is about connecting the different identities of Lancashire to reshape a better, creative, more sustainable way of living in the UK.”
Lancashire 2025 is now established as an independent, not-for-profit company and is looking to recruit key roles to help drive the bid forwards. These include a citizen engagement manager, a programme manager, a projects producer and an administration and project co-ordinator. Further details, including job specifications and closing dates, can be found on Lancashire2025.com.
Lancashire2025.com is a new, dedicated website where people can get involved, have their say and back the bid. Speaking at Insider’s Lancashire Conference on Tuesday 6 October, Rachel McQueen, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “It is really exciting to see the Lancashire 2025 team move on to the next phase of what I believe is an incredible opportunity for the county. They are developing their team, strengthening engagement with the private sector and cultural sector and, most importantly, inviting all 1.5million residents of Lancashire to not only back the bid, but to actively get involved in the research behind it.”
County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for economic development, environment and planning at Lancashire County Council, said: “Winning UK City of Culture 2025 would bring an economic boost to the county, supporting our regeneration post-Covid. It will help to drive cultural, social and digital skills development programmes, attract additional investment and visitors to our county and raise Lancashire’s profile at a national and international level. This is the first time that a full county is submitting a bid. It is bold and ambitious, just like Lancashire itself.”
The Lancashire 2025 team is working towards presenting their application to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in 2021.