Tay Cities Region bids for City of Culture 2025 title

The Tay Cities Region has submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) to become the 2025 UK City of Culture.

For the first time in the competition’s history, groups of towns or areas can bid for the City of Culture title together.

Six places that have submitted an EOI will be longlisted for the title and will receive funding of £40,000 from the DCMS to develop their applications.

The longlist will be announced in September and judges, led by Sir Phil Redmond, will visit each location before announcing the 2025 UK City of Culture in May 2022.

Perth & Kinross Council leader Councillor Murray Lyle said: “The next few years are hugely exciting for the Tay Cities Region. Becoming 2025 UK City of Culture would recognise our rich cultural heritage and the plans we have for the future, such as bringing the Stone of Destiny home to a new museum in Perth City Hall.

“But our ambitions for the region stretch much higher and the City of Culture title would drive forward our ongoing cultural regeneration and deliver long-lasting benefits for our residents.

Angus Council leader Councillor David Fairweather said: “The Tay Cities region is incredibly diverse and would be a fitting recipient of the City of Culture title.  

“Becoming 2025 UK City of Culture would transform the entire Tay Cities region, showcasing Tayside and North East Fife to the world as well as building upon the work of the Tay Cities Deal.”

Councillor John Alexander, leader of Dundee City Council, said: “I’m delighted that we are part of this creative and innovative regional bid to become UK City of Culture in 2025.

“We’ve seen here in Dundee over recent years how powerful culture can be in leading regeneration. Our collective bid is about harnessing that transformative power and helping to ensure that the Tay Cities Region achieves its full social and economic potential.

“Becoming UK City of Culture would allow us to accelerate how we tell our story to the UK and the world, to connect our diverse rural and urban communities, and to bridge the divides of inequality.”

Fife Council Co-Leader David Alexander said: “Fife Council is wholeheartedly pleased to be part of the bid that the Tay Cities Region has submitted to become the 2025 UK City of Culture. A successful bid for will have a long-lasting, positive impact for Fifers. We are committed to working with partners to boost business, culture and tourism in Fife and the East of Scotland.”   

Cllr David Ross, Co-Leader, said: “I’m delighted to support this bid. We are already working innovatively with Dundee, Perth and Kinross and Angus on the Tay Cities Regional Deal. This innovative regional bid to become the city of culture adds another dimension to these efforts and raises the profile of the whole region, which can only be good for everyone in the area.”