PREPARATIONS for Worcester’s bid to become the City of Culture 2021 are set to start next month.
Various organisations, business owners and groups will gather at Worcester Racecourse on February 12 to look at a number of key areas which could give them an advantage over rival cities.
The event will examine things such as how to make a bid, who needs to be involved, what it could look like, the cost and benefits and the feasibility of a potential bid.
Representatives from the Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and other UK cities that have previously been involved in submitting bids will be present.
The workshop is being jointly organised by the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, Worcestershire County Council and Worcester City Council.
Peter Pawsey, Executive Chair of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Both culture and sport play an important role in raising the profile of Worcester and Worcestershire and therefore in attracting businesses and investments to our county, thereby boosting the local economy.
“Preparing a bid to be City of Culture 2021, even if we are unsuccessful, would be a catalyst for things to really happen in and around Worcester, creating more events, attracting more visitors, delivering a number of long talked about projects and generally lifting the whole area.
“However, for any bid for the City of Culture to be successful it would need significant commitment from a number of organisations, both financially and with other resources, and it will require strong and determined commitment and leadership.”
In 2013, Londonderry became the UK’s first City of Culture, while Hull will take over the title in 2017.
Duncan Sharkey, Worcester City Council’s managing director said securing the City of Culture title could bring enormous promotional benefits to Worcester and would help to attract a far greater number of visitors to the city.
“Delivering a credible bid would incur significant time, resources and budget from many local organisations, with no guarantee of success,” he added.
“The purpose of this workshop is to establish whether there is sufficient appetite among all the players to commit the resources necessary to produce a compelling bid.”
Anyone interested in attending the event, which will take place from 9am until 1pm should e-mail [email protected] before 29 January to book a place as spaces are limited.
All of the feedback received will be considered before the organisations which attend collectively decide what the next step should be.
