CULTURE BID: Kilmarnock has applied to become a UK Town of Culture for 2028 (Image: WikiCommons)
Two Ayrshire towns will be running for a UK Government initiative, and are calling on the region’s people to celebrate their “incredible communities”.
Kilmarnock and Ayr will be running for the UK Town of Culture 2028 in a bid to showcase “original storytelling, and empowering, accessible culture”.
Building on the UK City of Culture programme success, the competition aims to recognise towns of all sizes that use culture for “community pride, economic growth, and long-term regeneration”.
The towns will be up against 24 others around Scotland, as far as Lerwick in Shetland, to show their worth in meeting the competition’s criteria.
The winning town will receive £3.5 million prize money to deliver a six-month programme in two years time with two other finalists to receive £250,000.
A spokesperson from East Ayrshire Council shared their delight of the Killie’s application for the award, believing there is a “roaring culture revival” in the town.
They said: “Kilmarnock is such as wonderfully warm, historic Scottish powerhouse that really knows how to throw a party.
“I’ve loved wandering the streets where the world-famous Johnnie Walker story began and two Nobel Laureates were nurtured.
“Get ready for a sensational programme of live music, joyful festivals, and show-stopping drama at the beautifully transformed Palace Theatre and Concert Hall.”
South Ayrshire Council are yet to comment on Ayr’s bid for the award.
COMPETITION: Ayr has also thrown its hat in the ring for the government initiative (Image: WikiCommons)
Kilmarnock and Ayr will come up against other applicants such as Stranraer, Greenock and Paisley in the west, with towns as far as Keith in Moray and Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis placing their own bids.
Killie was awarded £20 million back in 2023 as part of the UK Government’s Long-Term Plan for Towns, known now as We Make Kilmarnock, to make improvements to the cultural scene in addition to the town centre.
Entries for the UK Town of Culture 2028 can viewed on the a digital map here.
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