Battle of Broxtowe begins in UK Town of Culture bid

Two towns in Nottinghamshire are preparing bids to be named the UK's first-ever Town of Culture.

The government has invited towns to enter the new competition, which will run alongside the existing UK City of Culture contest that was won by Bradford in 2025.

Beeston and Kimberley have confirmed they are throwing their hats in the ring to win the title in 2028.

The government said the competition would boost local pride and the winner would be awarded a £3m prize, with two runners-up receiving £250,000 each.

Championing Beeston is the Beeston Grassroots Culture Bid, a group made up of the town's civic society, tourism experts, and local publication, The Beestonian.

Editor Matt Turpin, who has lived in the town for 25 years, said: "Anyone who has ever been to Beeston will see that culture is all around, whether it is the street art, the light nights, or the festivals that we do, it gives the place an identity.

"We have had artists, novelists, playwrights, actors and poets.

"Sir Paul Smith, one of the most successful designers in Britain, is a Beestonian.

"Things start here. It's a very fertile ground for culture and we really want to show that off."

The team is preparing to host a public meeting on Sunday at the Plessey Centre from 16:30 GMT, to encourage the community to put forward their ideas.

Jeanie Barton, chair of the Beeston Civic Society, said there was already a thriving cultural scene.

"It's the weight and the gravity of the cultural offers in our area, which in some respects can often surpass what's in the centre of Nottingham," she said.

"We're a satellite town but we're punching so far above our weight, historically and currently, that I think we're in with a very good chance of this."

To ensure towns of all sizes are represented, the competition's three finalists will include one small town - with a population of under 20,000 - one medium town with a population of 20,000 to 75,000, and one large town with a population of over 75,000.

Elsewhere in the borough of Broxtowe, the forming mining town of Kimberley is also preparing to enter the contest.

A motion to form a working group to put together a pitch was presented to full council in January, and unanimously passed.

Councillor Sam Boneham, from Kimberley Town Council, said his home town of 11 years had a lot to offer.

"We've got absolutely loads of heritage, really interesting historical information and buildings and all the industries which made Kimberley what it is today," he said.

Boneham said if the town was successful, he would like to bring back historic events that "used to make Kimberley so fantastic", like the Kimberley Pram Race, which started in 1975.

The event was a community affair originally put on by pub landlords, which saw members of the community race through the town on homemade prams or floats.

Boneham added: "That is an event that we would love to bring back, I think that really sums up the community of Kimberley."

He said the prize money could be put towards a programme of community events.

"Rising costs slowly kills off community-driven events and it prices people out of doing good deeds in the community," he added.

"If we were successful in winning, I'd love to see a year-long programme of all the old events that used to make Kimberley so fantastic, as well as all the events we still do - just a big year-long celebration of Kimberley and what it means to live here."

A spokesperson for Browtowe Borough Council said: "Broxtowe has a rich cultural heritage to celebrate and enhance. The council welcomes any opportunities to discuss the proposed bids for Town of Culture as part of the bidding process."

Towns have until 31 March to enter expressions of interest.

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