Bradford has been awarded UK City of Culture 2025.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries announced the winner on The One Show in Coventry, beating competition from County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham Country Borough.
The winner of the title is awarded every four years, with Coventry previously holding the title.
Robbie Moore, who is the Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, which is part of the Bradford district, said the announcement is a “testament to hard work of so many across our community”.
“This is great news for the whole of our area & will be an awesome economic boost for our area,” he added, while Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said 2025 will be a “fitting showcase” of culture in Bradford.
“No city deserves this more. As one of the youngest and most diverse places in the UK, Bradford will benefit so much from this platform to highlight everything it has to offer,” she said.
The 2025 shortlist was compiled from a group of 20 places that registered bids, which also included Cornwall, Derby, Stirling and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.
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Winning the title helps to raise the area’s profile, boost its local economy and put it in the cultural spotlight, encouraging long-lasting participation in the arts, and growth for local tourism.
Ms Dorries also announced that for the first time the runners-up will receive a £125,000 grant.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson congratulated Bradford on Twitter, writing: “This title builds on the rich history and dynamism of the city, bringing investment and opportunity for everyone who lives and works there.”
Since gaining the title in 2021, Coventry has seen more than £172m invested in funding music concerts and the UK’s first permanent immersive digital art gallery, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said, plus a further £500m for the city’s regeneration.
Derry/Londonderry in Northern Ireland first took the title in 2013, with Hull following in 2017.
