The Green Party wants Huddersfield to bid to become the UK’s first Town of Culture in 2028.
The Government has announced the first ever UK Town of Culture competition to restore pride in communities with a £3 million prize pot at stake.
With 11 weeks to apply, the competition is open to small, medium and large towns, with the winner delivering a vibrant cultural programme.
Showcasing a town’s local visions and voices – through new arts venues, performances, workshops and more – the competition is aimed at bringing investment, building local pride and opening the doors to the arts for everyone.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is inviting expressions of interest until March 31 2026 and Kirklees Council’s Green group wants Huddersfield to throw its hat in the ring.
Green group leader Clr Andrew Cooper said: “Huddersfield has a vibrant cultural scene driven by committed individuals and communities that enrich the lives of thousands in our town.
“By winning the UK Town of Culture we don’t just access Government funding but we could help bring a positive vibe that we so desperately need in Huddersfield.
“Huddersfield has a good story to tell. We are the home to the Mrs Sunderland Festival, the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and young, exciting bands and singer songwriters.
“We could give a real boost to the town’s music venues from the small ones like Northern Quarter on Wood Street to Huddersfield Town Hall.
“There are also wider arts projects such as drama, local artists and great projects like the textile arts festival, Woven.”
Neighbouring Bradford was City of Culture in 2025 and saw a huge uplift in fortunes.
Cr Cooper added: “For every £1 invested in Bradford City of Culture it generated £26 in added value to the city and brought in three million extra visitors.
“Kirklees is investing millions in its Our Cultural Heart project for Huddersfield. We should be using this investment to attract the £3 million of Government funding that is on offer and help boost our town.
“There are also significant opportunities to attract National Lottery heritage funds and Arts Council grants. We should not miss the chance of bringing substantial funding to Huddersfield.
“I’m keen that any bid we make should be led by the many cultural organisations and individuals in the cultural sector that make up our town. It should not be just another Kirklees Council project.”
Green councillor Karen Allison, who is on the board of the Lawrence Batley Theatre and is the wardrobe mistress at Longwood Amateur Theatre Company, said: “Drama in our town brings joy and enjoyment to thousands in Huddersfield, throughout the year.
“Whether it is Newsome Scouts’ panto or the great productions we have at Lawrence Batley Theatre, the performing arts is something that young and old participate in.
“We have so much going for us in Huddersfield – drama, dance, music, the visual arts. We need to celebrate that and use it as a catalyst to take our town forward.
“We do a lot already in the arts sector but could do lots more with the proper funding and support.”
Towns can submit their expressions of interest to the Government now.
TV producer Sir Phil Redmond, who created Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks, will lead an expert panel, judging towns on the way they’ll tell their unique story, how they’ll bring everyone in a community together and how towns will deliver on their vision.
The strongest bids will progress to a shortlist, with each shortlisted town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition.
The deadline for expressions of interest for UK Town of Culture 2028 is March 31 2026, with the shortlist of towns expected to be announced this Spring.
Mrs Sunderland Festival 2026 to feature almost 3,000 performers and 5,000 performances
