A report to the council's Cabinet recommends that the council formally express interest in entering the UK Government's new UK Town of Culture 2028 competition. The competition was announced in January by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy MP. It involves towns competing to host a year-long cultural programme celebrating local heritage, creativity, and community life.
The winning town will receive £3 million, while two runners-up will each receive £250,000 to deliver elements of their proposed cultural programmes. Council officers say Kilmarnock has a strong foundation for a bid, pointing to ongoing regeneration work and major investment projects in the town centre. This foundation includes the £20 million redevelopment of the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall, funded through the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund, expected to complete in early 2028.
Kilmarnock has also secured £20 million through the Long-Term Plan for Towns programme, now known as the Pride in Place programme, aimed at creating thriving places and stronger communities. According to the report, a cultural programme would focus on community involvement, innovation, and Kilmarnock's industrial and built heritage, with activities centred around food and drink, music, drama, dance, and visual arts. Proposals could include large-scale artistic commissions linked to the reopening of the Palace Theatre, community-led creative projects, and initiatives aimed at developing local creative industries.
The report highlights a focus on young people, with plans for projects designed to improve skills, confidence, and employability through cultural participation. The council would have to submit the initial expression of interest by the end of this month. Shortlisted towns are expected to be announced later in the spring, with each receiving £60,000 to develop a full bid.
It is not yet known whether Kilmarnock's council will officially approve the bid recommendation, and the specific criteria or judging process for selecting the winning town remain unclear.