Why Keighley should be crowned UK Town of Culture in 2028

The UK Town of Culture is a new contest launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Three finalists - a small town, a medium town and and a large town - will be chosen.

The winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028 and receive a £3 million prize to deliver a programme of cultural events.

The two runners-up will each receive £250,000.

Continuing the City of Culture legacy

Keighley joins a number of other Yorkshire towns - including Ilkley and Halifax - which have also submitted bids for the top title.

Keighley’s bid is being spearheaded by Keighley Town Council alongside a range of organisations including Keighley Creative, Bradford Council, Keighley College.

Bradford was UK City of Culture last year.

Those behind Keighley's bid - including town mayor Chris Herd - said winning it would ensure the City of Culture legacy continues in the area.

Keighley town mayor Chris Herd (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)

Keighley 'punches well above its weight'

He said: "Keighley has always been a town with an extraordinary story to tell.

"Our culture isn’t just found in galleries or on stages - it is alive in our streets, green spaces, history and the incredible people who call Keighley home.

"This bid is our opportunity to show the world the strength, creativity and pride of our community.

"Keighley is a town which punches well above its weight.

"It should be UK Town of Culture in 2028."

Cliffe Castle Museum (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)

'Culture is oozing out of Keighley'

He said Keighley has much to offer culturally, including Cliffe Castle Museum.

He added: "I just feel culture is oozing out of Keighley."

Georgina Webster, co-chair of Keighley Creative (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)

Can Keighley win?

Georgina Webster, co-chair of Keighley Creative - a community arts organisation based in the town - said: "Being a Town of Culture will help us all to have a good time.

"There will be so much going on.

"There will be new things happening in the town.

"It'll be all over the town for a year - it'll touch and reach everybody.

"We are a town that's suffered recently from lack of jobs and lack of industry and so on, so we need this sort of boost and uplift.

"Keighley's a wonderful town and it thoroughly deserves to be UK Town of Culture in 2028."

The Government is expected to announce the winner next year.