> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The four places that pipped Ipswich to 2029 City of Culture shortlist - URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/the-four-places-that-pipped-ipswich-to-2029-city-of-culture-shortlist/ - Published: 2026-10-22T07:15:20.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-22T07:34:32.000Z - Description: Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham have been shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2029, with each guaranteed at least £125,000 and one set to win a £10m prize in early 2027. - Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams - Tags: News, Ipswich City of Culture 2029 **Why it matters:** The title is meant to bring investment, more access to cultural activities and jobs to the winning place. Ipswich was one of nine longlisted bidders but, as we exclusively revealed yesterday, did not make the cut. **The big picture:** The shortlist was recommended by the UK City of Culture expert advisory panel, chaired by Sir Phil Redmond, and announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on Thursday, 22 October. - It was whittled down from nine longlisted bids, which also included Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Swindon. - Bidders were asked to explain how they would use culture to boost growth, opportunities and pride. - The nine longlisted places each received a £60,000 grant to strengthen their applications. **What's next:** The winner will be announced in early 2027\. Each shortlisted place will receive at least £125,000 to take forward elements of its bid. Sir Phil said: "Once again there is a hard choice ahead." He added that he looked forward to visiting the places on the shortlist "along with the rest of the Advisory Panel in the near future". All bidders, including unsuccessful ones, will receive detailed feedback on their bids, including areas for development. DCMS will also talk to them about how to maintain momentum. **What they're saying:** The Ipswich bid team thanked everyone for backing the bid in a statement following the announcement: "Today DCMS named the four places shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2029, and Ipswich will not be going through to the next stage. "We wanted to go further but we are incredibly proud of what this town has achieved. More than a thousand people shaped this bid, and you were one of them. So a huge thank you. "This was always the beginning, not the end. Ipswich has a new ten-year Culture and Heritage Strategy, led by the town's cultural sector, and there is much more to come. Ipswich will be back and will build on the energy and momentum that has been built. "Thank you for backing the bid." Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called the competition "an undiluted celebration of what makes our largest towns and cities so brilliant" and shortlisted bids issued their own statements: - **Wrexham:** Joanna Knight OBE, chair of the Wrecsam2029 bid, said: "Just imagine what becoming the first Welsh UK City of Culture could mean – not only for Wrexham, but for North Wales and the whole of Wales." - **Blackpool:** Councillor Lynn Williams MBE, leader of Blackpool Council, said: "Blackpool has never been a town that stands still." - **Milton Keynes:** Councillor Jane Carr, leader of Milton Keynes City Council, said the city was nearing the 60th anniversary of its founding and that, as its bid sets out, "we're just getting started". - **Sheffield:** Councillor Fran Belbin, leader of Sheffield City Council, said: "Sheffield is a city built on creativity, innovation and community spirit." **For context:** Previous winners are Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford. Bradford's 2025 programme included more than 6,500 events, over 80% of them free, and led to capital investment for more than 30 local cultural organisations. More than 88,000 residents took part in key projects, and 87% of audiences agreed the event made them feel proud of their local area. **What's next:** Missing out does not end Ipswich's cultural plans. The town's ten-year Culture & Heritage Strategy 2026-36 launched on Wednesday, 21 October, and will go ahead regardless of the disappointment. A separate competition, the first UK Town of Culture, is also under way. Fifteen towns have been shortlisted, including Basildon, Great Yarmouth and Grimsby, and a winner will be announced next year. Ipswich was eligible for both, but opted to go for City of Culture due to a smaller entrant pool, bigger prize pool and guidance from inside Westminster. **The bottom line:** Four places are now competing for the 2029 title and a £10m prize, with a winner due in early 2027\. Ipswich is out of the running, but will brush itself off and push ahead with its ten-year Culture & Heritage strategy. --- **Don't forget:** If you enjoy our content, please [add Ipswich.co.uk as a "preferred source" on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=ipswich.co.uk&ref=ipswich.co.uk) so you can easily find more of the content you value. [Add as a preferred source on Google](https://google.com/preferences/source?q=ipswich.co.uk&ref=ipswich.co.uk) --- ### This article cost us \~£27 to produce It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our partners. Please support us by supporting them.