Visit Rotherham reported in July that Rotherham had made the final 15 towns shortlisted for the inaugural award, selected from nearly 400 applications by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It is now developing its vision for the competition, with its full bid due to be submitted on 30 November. It will compete against other towns including Grimsby, Birkenhead and Basildon.
During his visit on Wednesday 11 November, Sir Phil heard more about Rotherham's cultural ambitions, its growing creative community and the role local people are playing in shaping plans for the future.
The bid builds on Rotherham's experience of becoming the world's first Children's Capital of Culture last year, which put young people and communities at the heart of an ambitious programme of cultural activity.
Sir Phil Redmond, chair of the Town of Culture judging panel, said: “I’ve seen a real level of enthusiasm and excitement about culture in Rotherham today, and a willingness to tell the town’s stories and take a few risks. It’s been great meeting the people and seeing bits of the town that I didn’t know already.
“The Town of Culture competition offers Rotherham a chance to tell its own authentic stories. So often towns are dictated by other people’s impressions of them – this is a chance to change perceptions, both internally and externally.
“Most of the big cities take all the headlines and create all the noise, but actually it’s the towns that bring so much innovation.”
Cllr Lynda Marshall, Cabinet Member for Waste Services, Leisure and Green Spaces, added: “Rotherham having a place in the final 15 shortlisted towns from almost 400 entries shows that we have far more to offer than people think. It's time that we celebrated that on a national stage.
“Over the last seven years we have developed and delivered Children's Capital of Culture, seen Grimm & Co grow into the Emporium of Stories, nurtured community arts and large-scale light shows with Flux Rotherham, watched ROAR provide managed workspace, studios, support and access to equipment for our growing community of artists, and seen volunteering grow across Wentworth Woodhouse, Rotherham Show, Clifton Park Museum and many more.
“There's a real sense of momentum across South Yorkshire right now, and Sheffield's City of Culture shortlist alongside Rotherham's Town of Culture place is more fantastic news for the region.”
The team is also engaging with communities across the borough, alongside youth, community and national industry panels, to develop the ideas that will feature in the final bid. The national panel will bring wider cultural expertise to the process, helping to challenge and strengthen the proposals.
The approach builds on Rotherham's track record of co-producing cultural activity with local people, ensuring the bid reflects the borough's identity, ambitions and the experiences of its communities.
Shafiq Hussain, chief executive of Voluntary Action Rotherham, is among those supporting the bid. He said: “At Voluntary Action Rotherham we support over 1,300 voluntary and community organisations working in every part of the borough. We are also home to Flux Rotherham and see first-hand the level of creativity, imagination and community spirit that drives our communities every day. UK Town of Culture is a fantastic opportunity to take a moment to celebrate this.”
Rotherham will submit its full bid on 30 November, with presentations to the judging panel expected in January and February 2027. The three category finalists are expected to be announced in February/March 2027.The winning town will receive £3m to deliver a cultural programme in 2028.
Images: RMBC
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