A third bid for City of Culture status has been ruled out by Birmingham City Council.
A third bid for City of Culture status has been ruled out by Birmingham City Council.
The authority has decided not to enter a new contest launched by the Government, as it does not have the money to invest in the bid.
The authority has decided not to enter a new contest launched by the Government, as it does not have the money to invest in the bid.
Birmingham first bid for the title of European Capital of Culture, but lost out to Liverpool in 2003 and again when Derry/Londonderry was given the 2013 title.
Birmingham first bid for the title of European Capital of Culture, but lost out to Liverpool in 2003 and again when Derry/Londonderry was given the 2013 title.
Now, the Government has opened applications for the chance to become UK City of Culture 2017.
Now, the Government has opened applications for the chance to become UK City of Culture 2017.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport said: “The UK City of Culture is a prestigious title that is a vehicle for encouraging economic growth along with highlighting the very best of the country’s cultural talent.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport said: “The UK City of Culture is a prestigious title that is a vehicle for encouraging economic growth along with highlighting the very best of the country’s cultural talent.
“Derry-Londonderry are already making the most of the opportunities being UK City of Culture brings and I would urge other local authorities and partnerships across the length and breadth of the UK to consider putting themselves forward.”
“Derry-Londonderry are already making the most of the opportunities being UK City of Culture brings and I would urge other local authorities and partnerships across the length and breadth of the UK to consider putting themselves forward.”
According to the Department, Liverpool received 9.7 million additional visitors to the city in their year as European City of Culture, which resulted in over £735 million in additional visitor spend. Derry-Londonderry hope to have 2,800 tourism jobs by 2020 as a legacy from a year as the first UK City of Culture.
According to the Department, Liverpool received 9.7 million additional visitors to the city in their year as European City of Culture, which resulted in over £735 million in additional visitor spend. Derry-Londonderry hope to have 2,800 tourism jobs by 2020 as a legacy from a year as the first UK City of Culture.
A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “At a time when we are implementing Government-imposed cuts we don’t have the money to spend on a bid for the City of Culture. Our priorities have to be addressing deprivation and driving growth in the city.”
A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “At a time when we are implementing Government-imposed cuts we don’t have the money to spend on a bid for the City of Culture. Our priorities have to be addressing deprivation and driving growth in the city.”
In theory, another body could lead a bid on behalf of Birmingham but only if it had the support of the council and had informed the Government of its intention to take part by the end of February.
In theory, another body could lead a bid on behalf of Birmingham but only if it had the support of the council and had informed the Government of its intention to take part by the end of February.
