We Are Pompey: Jatin Patel backs Portsmouth's UK City of Culture bid to help shine a light on its 'warm-hearted' residents

Portsmouth is bidding to become the 2029 City of Culture. Here we meet one of the people in the city backing the bid - and find out why Portsmouth is so special to them.

Jatin Patel - Indian Community Ambassador

Jatin is the chairperson of the Portsmouth Indian community (PIC) Ltd which was set up recently with the aim of building the first Hindu temple in Portsmouth where all faiths would be welcome. His ties to the city run much deeper than just that though having lived in Portsmouth for over three decades where he has become a pillar of the community.

Why Jatin is backing the bid

He said: “I am proud to be a Portsmouth person, I move here in 1991 and established a small business and I have never looked back. Everyone was so warm hearted, they greeted you, respected you and supported you irrespective of where you come from. As long as you mix with the locals they are happy to have you around. That is what opened my eyes, the warmness of the people

“We have the naval base, Charles Dickens birthplace, the seafront, the museums, you have everything just around the corner from you, what more could you want?

“It is a very diverse and warm city and there is a lot of opportunities here. It is a very safe city. We should be proud of it”

Portsmouth in three words: Being in Paradise

Behind the Bio

When he moved to the city from London in the early 1990s and set up a small newsagents in Guildhall Walk, he straight away noticed a sharp contrast in the way of life with the people more welcoming. He said: “This is the city I will stay in for the rest of my life, my heart belongs here. My aim and goal is to help the communities here.”