MP for North West Leicestershire Amanda Hack is encouraging local towns to apply for first UK Town of Culture competition

The government has announced the launch of the UK Town of Culture competition, a smaller counterpart to the City of Culture celebrating towns of a variety of sizes.

Amanda Hack MP has suggested both Coalville and Ashby be put forward for the title, which will name three finalists - one small town, one medium town and one large town.

The overall winner will receive £3 million of funding and be named UK Town of Culture 2028.

The two runner-ups will each receive £250,000 to deliver elements from their bid.

Both Ashby and Coalville have been urged by Hack to enter UK Town of Culture 2028 (Photo: Grace Kennington)

During a debate in Westminster Hall on UK Town of Culture on 7 January, Amanda Hack highlighted both Ashby and Coalville as possible contenders for the title, saying: 'Coalville is named appropriately, as it is at the heart of the coalmining industry in Leicestershire. The cultural heritage is centred on its industrial past and its hope for the future.

'Coalville's culture was clear to see at the Midland Red bus 100th anniversary event earlier in the year, which was just a stone's throw from Marlborough Square, at Snibstone, the home of a theatre, a coalmining museum, a café and a park.

'However, it will have to fight off local competition from the second largest town in my constituency, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. A great market town originally known as Ashby is 1086, it was renamed by the 18th century after the La Zouch family.

'Ashby's rich history has been kept throughout the generations. There is an active business improvement distinct and a great town council with an annual programme of events, that includes the Statutes, which is now in its 806th year, the new soapbox derby, which is in its second year, to name just a couple of the great events that happen.'

Applications for the UK Town of Culture will be judged on three main criteria:

• The unique story of the town,
• how the town will design a cultural programme for all,
• how the town will then deliver a successful programme if it wins.

Applications have opened and towns have until 31 March 2026 for Expressions of Interest.

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