The city has confirmed it is entering the race to become the UK’s city of culture in 2029
A city in Cambridgeshire has confirmed it is entering the race to become UK City of Culture 2029. Peterborough City Council has today confirmed it has submitted an expression of interest to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The bid is being led by Peterborough City Council, working alongside groups including Peterborough Tourist Board, Inspire Education Group, Peterborough Positive, and Peterborough Cultural Alliance.
The bid has backed by the Leader of Peterborough City Council, Councillor Shabina Qayyum, and MP Andrew Pakes.
Councillor Qayyum said: “To be ambitious and successful, you have to put ambition into action. When I was first elected as Leader, I was determined to put Peterborough properly on the map and to stop our city being overlooked.
“We are a city with extraordinary heritage and depth. From our 900-year-old Cathedral and its place in national history, to our rich archaeology, diverse communities and the landscapes that surround us, Peterborough has a story that deserves to be better known.”
A spokesperson for the city council said that submitting an expression of interest will not cost local taxpayers anything. If Peterborough were successful, the City of Culture programme would be delivered through significant national investment and other external funding, rather than local council budgets.
MP Pakes said: “Peterborough is a city with a remarkable story, shaped by history, migration, industry and creativity, yet too often underestimated beyond our borders.”
He added: “Entering the UK City of Culture 2029 process is about having the confidence to tell that story properly and to give our communities a national platform. This is not just about a title, but about backing culture as a driver of pride, opportunity and long-term renewal across the whole city.”