Grimsby’s Bid for UK Town of Culture 2028

At the recent 2025 Group quarterly town centre event, one of the most exciting announcements of the evening came from James Trowsdale, who shared that Grimsby will be putting forward a bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028.

The programme has been launched by the UK Government to recognise towns that demonstrate strong cultural ambition, community engagement and a clear vision for how culture can support regeneration and economic growth.

The successful town will receive £3 million of funding to support a year-long programme of cultural activity, events and projects that celebrate local identity while attracting national attention and visitors.

The idea builds on the success of initiatives such as Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture in 2008 and the UK City of Culture programme, which has brought investment, visitors and pride to places including Hull and Coventry.

For Grimsby, the opportunity goes beyond events. It is about telling the town’s story.

During the presentation, James explained that the first step in the process is submitting an expression of interest by the end of March 2026. Towns that are shortlisted will then be invited to develop a full bid.

What makes a strong bid is not simply a programme of cultural activity. The guidance for bidders highlights the importance of community involvement, partnerships, heritage, creativity and a clear long-term vision for the place.

In other words, it is about demonstrating how culture connects to the identity and future of the town.

For Grimsby, there is a powerful story to tell.

This is a place shaped by the sea, by trade and industry, by resilience and by people who care deeply about where they live. It is also a town that continues to evolve, from its historic fishing heritage to its global role in renewable energy and offshore wind.

Alongside this history sits a growing cultural scene, from independent artists and community organisations to festivals, performances and creative spaces that are beginning to bring more people into the town centre.

The Town of Culture bid offers a chance to bring these stories together and share them more widely.

As James explained during the event, strong bids are built with the support of the community. Businesses, creative organisations, community groups and residents all have a role to play in shaping the vision and demonstrating why the town deserves the title.

A short public survey has been launched as part of the early stage consultation. It asks people to share their thoughts on what makes Grimsby unique, the stories that should be celebrated and the types of cultural activity they would like to see.

This input will help shape the vision behind the bid and ensure it reflects the voices of the community.

You can find out more about the bid and take part in the consultation here:
https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/uk-town-of-culture/

Whether or not Grimsby ultimately secures the title, the process itself provides an opportunity to reflect on what makes the town distinctive and what its future could look like.

And perhaps most importantly, it invites the community to play a role in telling that story.