Gateshead has thrown its hat into the ring to be crowned the UK's Town of Culture for 2028. Council bosses hope to win the coveted title for a year that would coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Angel of the North and the centenary of the Tyne Bridge. The Tyne Bridge is currently undergoing a major restoration to restore it to its former glory in time for the milestone.
Gateshead has been able to bid following a change in the entry criteria to allow larger towns to compete. The competition includes small, medium, and large town categories, from which the Government will select an overall UK Town of Culture winner to be awarded £3 million to deliver a 12-month cultural programme. The two other finalists will each receive £250,000.
Gateshead will join North East neighbours North Shields, Bishop Auckland, and Berwick-upon-Tweed in the national race, as well as the likes of Whitby, Richmond, and Shrewsbury. The council said that Gateshead's bid would build on 18 months of work with community groups, freelancers and major cultural organisations to develop a long-term culture strategy for the town. ' She added: 'Applying to be Town of Culture is an audacious move by Gateshead, but it matches our spirit, ambition and pride.
' The deadline for submitting bids or when the winner will be announced has not been specified.