The key facts
- Shortlist: Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield (England) and Wrexham (Wales) — selected from nine candidates
- The winner will be announced in May; they will receive £10 million, shortlisted cities £125,000 each
- Wrexham could become the first Welsh city to hold the title
Shortlist announced for UK City of Culture 2029
Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham have made the shortlist of contenders for the title of UK City of Culture 2029, BBC News reports. Three of the cities are in England and one is in Wales. They were selected from a longlist of nine candidates, which also included Inverness, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Swindon. The winner will be announced in May and will become the fifth holder of the title after Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford. The title is awarded once every four years.
Funding and the government's position
Each of the shortlisted cities will receive at least £125,000 from the government to further develop its bid. The eventual winner will receive £10 million to stage a year of cultural events and activities built on 'local strengths and stories'. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy noted that the shortlisted cities 'have shown pride in their places with incredible culture on their doorstep'.
Blackpool
Blackpool is known for Blackpool Tower, Pleasure Beach and the Illuminations. The city hosts a major dance festival and an annual visit from Strictly Come Dancing; the Showtown museum is dedicated to Blackpool's history as a centre of show business and comedy. Council leader Lynn Williams said Blackpool had 'entertained generations of people', adding: 'Blackpool has never been a city that stands still. It is a proud working culture that has always been about bringing people together, having fun and getting things done'.
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes, built in the 1960s and 70s, is known for its American-style grid of roads and abundance of roundabouts. The city is home to Bletchley Park — the historic Second World War codebreaking centre, now a museum — and the National Bowl amphitheatre, where Oasis, Queen and David Bowie have performed. The bid describes the city as 'built on imagination — a place where innovation, diversity and creativity thrive side by side'. Council leader Jane Carr emphasised that the city is approaching the 60th anniversary of its founding.
Sheffield
Sheffield, a traditional centre of steel and cutlery manufacturing, is today known for musical acts such as Arctic Monkeys and Pulp, an annual documentary film festival, and the Crucible theatre — one of the leading theatres outside London. The bid highlights 'a world-renowned creative heritage and ambitious plans for the future'. Councillor Fran Belbin said: 'Sheffield is a city built on creativity, innovation and community spirit... Culture is part of who we are'.
Wrexham
Wrexham, the largest city in North Wales, was a centre of the industrial revolution, and recently made headlines again when its historic football club Wrexham AFC was bought by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The bid states: 'Our ambition is simple but bold: to make Wrexham the most playful place in the world'. Chair of the bid, called Wrecsam2029, Joanna Knight OBE noted: 'There is a real sense that something special is happening here. Just imagine what it would mean to have the first Welsh city as UK City of Culture... the opportunities are enormous'.
Image source, Getty Images Blackpool is one of four shortlisted locations to be the next UK City of Culture
Image source, Getty Images 
Image source, Getty Images 
Image source, Getty Images 
Image source, Getty Images 
