Portsmouth City Council and Portsmouth Creates have launched an ambitious bid to secure the UK City of Culture 2029 title, aiming to spotlight the city’s creative spirit, rich heritage and forward-thinking vision.
The application aligns with the council’s strategic goal to establish Portsmouth as a culturally vibrant and creative hub by 2040, where partnership, community engagement and innovation flourish. Cultural renewal forms a cornerstone of the council’s agenda, designed to stimulate economic prosperity, enhance quality of life and generate opportunities citywide.
This development arrives as Portsmouth gears up for Portsmouth100, a year-long commemoration in 2026 celebrating a century of city status. The Portsmouth100 programme will unite communities, organisations and businesses through a series of events honouring the city’s distinguished heritage and culture whilst embracing future possibilities.
Cllr Steve Pitt, Portsmouth City Council leader overseeing culture, regeneration and economic development, commented: “Portsmouth overflows with creative energy and community dedication. This application extends beyond securing a designation—it centres on opening doors for residents, drawing investment and highlighting the remarkable talent within our city. As we commemorate our centenary as a city in 2026, we aim to build upon that pride and establish an enduring legacy benefiting future generations.”
Securing the UK City of Culture 2029 designation would deliver a lasting impact through:
- Positioning Portsmouth prominently on national and international stages as a premier waterfront city
- Generating sustainable economic expansion, securing investment and enhancing tourism
- Establishing new enterprises and quality employment, supporting talent retention and recruitment
- Elevating ambitions and advancing skills, ensuring cultural accessibility for everyone
- Reinforcing civic pride and community unity, boosting wellbeing throughout the city
- Embedding cultural regeneration within Portsmouth’s long-term vision and development
Portsmouth Creates will collaborate on developing the bid, demonstrating culture and creativity’s transformative influence. The next stage involves submitting an official expression of interest to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), with the longlist announcement scheduled for February.
Gemma Nichols, Chief Executive Officer of Portsmouth Creates, stated: “Portsmouth stands prepared to unite in developing its UK City of Culture 2029 bid. We recognise our community represents our most valuable strength—a community equipped to embrace this challenge, utilising it as a stage to present our narratives, aspirations, talent and partnerships that genuinely characterise us and inspire our Pompey pride.
Competing for UK City of Culture 2029 delivers concrete economic, cultural and social advantages before, during and following the competition. It will magnify the exceptional work already underway here and unlock fresh opportunities for creativity, inclusion and economic development. Portsmouth Creates proudly leads this bid and advocates for the voices of people making this city such a dynamic place to live, work and visit.”
