We would like to congratulate the city of Bradford, which has won the competition to be named the UK city of culture for 2025.
Bradford is a city very close to home for all employees at First2HelpYou. A number of our employees commute to and from Bradford to our office in Selby, North Yorkshire.
What is the UK City of Culture Award?
UK City of Culture is a programme developed by Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sports (DCMS), with the title being held by a different city in the UK every four years. The successful bidder hosts cultural festivities through culture-led regeneration for the year. The designation is awarded to cities every four years through a competition.
Why Bradford?
Bradford is an ethnically diverse area with the largest proportion of people of Pakistani ethnic origin in England. One in four people living in the district describes themselves as Asian/Asian British ethnic origin, compared to under 1 in 10 people on average for England overall.
West Yorkshire’s Mayor Tracy Brabin said she was delighted Bradford had been chosen. “No city deserves this more,” she said. “As one of the UK’s youngest and most diverse places, Bradford will benefit from this platform to highlight everything it has to offer.”
What does this mean for Bradford?
Bradford will receive £270,000 in initial funding to assist it in developing its plans. Additionally, Bradford will be eligible for a £3m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Bradford plans to deliver more than 1,000 new performances and events, including 365 artist commissions, a series of major arts festivals, and exciting national and international collaborations