Warminster bids to become UK’s first Town of Culture

Warminster has taken the first step in its bid to become the UK’s first Town of Culture in 2028, with the town council submitting an expression of interest to the national competition.

The new Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) competition gives towns a chance to win up to £3 million to deliver a cultural programme in 2028 of around six months.

The first stage involves submitting an online plan which may be awarded £60,000 in funding to work up a more detailed set of proposals.

Tom Dommett, Warminster Town Clerk, said, “The aim of the competition is not to judge which town has the best cultural offering at the moment but to decide which town could most improve its cultural offer if it was given the ultimate prize of £3 million.

“The working group that put forward the bid would absolutely love the people of Warminster to have that £3 million to spend that in our wonderful town. We want to build a legacy and raise the culture offering as we continue to promote Warminster as a great place to live and to visit.”

The Warminster bid outlines a series of activities, events and aims, including bringing disused buildings back into use.

“Even if the bid is not successful, ideas and opportunities will arise and our cultural, business and voluntary groups will be working closer together to improve our town and ready for other funding opportunities when they come along,” said Tom.

Two finalist towns will each receive £250,000, with one town awarded £3 million to deliver its programme.