Portsmouth launches bid to become UK City of Culture 2029 in hopes of creating a "lasting legacy"
.jpg?width=96&crop=1:1,smart)
Bold plans are in place for Portsmouth to bid to become the UK City of Culture.
Portsmouth City Council (PCC) has confirmed that the city is launching proposals for the 2029 title. It follows in the footsteps of previous winners including Bradford, Coventry, and Hull.
Council leader Cllr Steve Pitt said: “Portsmouth is bursting with creativity and community spirit. This bid is about more than a title, it’s about unlocking opportunities for our residents, attracting investment and showcasing the incredible talent we have here. As we mark 100 years as a city in 2026, we want to build on that pride and create a lasting legacy that benefits generations to come.”
The aim is for the city to be rich in culture and creativity by 2040, PCC said. It’s hoped that cultural regeneration will drive economic growth, improve wellbeing for residents, and create opportunities for all. After Hull won its bid in 2017, nearly 800 creative sector jobs were created, £300m was generated in tourism revenue, and six million people visited the city.
The announcement comes on the back of plans for Portsmouth100, a year long celebration marking the 100th anniversary of city status being achieved. Portsmouth Creates, a non-profit organisation focusing on on the city’s culture sector, is heading up the bid.
A formal expression of interest need to be submitted to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), with the longlist to be announced in February 2026.
Gemma Nichols, Chief Executive Officer of Portsmouth Creates, said: “Portsmouth is ready to come together to develop its bid to become UK City of Culture 2029. As a city we know that our greatest asset is our community, a community that is ready to take on this competition, using it as a platform to showcase our stories, ambition, talent and collaboration that truly defines us and what make us proud to be Pompey.
“Bidding to become UK City of Culture 2029 brings tangible economic, cultural and social benefits leading up to, during and post the competition. It will amplify the incredible work already happening here and help unlock new possibilities for creativity, inclusion and economic growth. Portsmouth Creates is proud to lead this bid and champion the voices of the people who make this city such a vibrant place to live, work and visit.”
In a joint statement by both Portsmouth MPs, Stephen Morgan and Amanda Martin, they said: “This is a huge moment for Portsmouth. Our city is bursting with creativity, resilience and community spirit from our world-class heritage to the birthplace of some of our country’s greatest authors and to the festivals, artists, performers and makers who bring Portsmouth’s story to life every single day.
“We know we can win this. But more importantly, this bid is an opportunity to bring people together. We know from meeting Portsmouth Creates that the City of Culture bid will unite communities, inspire young people, and unlock the talent and pride that already exists in our city. This is Portsmouth’s chance to show the country and the world what we know already: that our city is fizzing with potential, rich in culture, and ready to take its place on the national stage. We are proud to back a Portsmouth bid all the way.”