Wrexham has made it through to the final round of the UK City of Culture 2029 competition.
The city has been named on the final shortlist, and will now battle it out with Blackpool, Sheffield and Milton Keynes for the prestigious title, which will bring huge economic and cultural benefits for the winner.
The final result will be announced in December or January, and if Wrexham comes out on top, it will be the first Welsh city to win the competition.
As well as an initial £10 million investment from the UK Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), it’s estimated the economic impact would be worth more than £200 million to Wrexham – creating new job opportunities, increased visitor numbers and wider social and cultural benefits.
Wrexham’s bid is being led by the Wrexham Community & Culture Trust, with backing from Wrexham Council, local communities and leading businesspeople, actors, musicians, politicians and artists with deep ties to the city.
Reacting to today’s news, Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said: “Making the shortlist is fantastic news and the people leading our bid are pulling out all the stops to make this happen.
“Our reputation is growing, and if you say you come from Wrexham – capital of North Wales – they know where we are.
“We’re on the map and we’re on the up, but we still have huge challenges in terms of socio-economic opportunities and inequalities, and winning this competition would be another step towards overcoming those challenges, building confidence in our communities and showing the world what Wrexham is truly about.”
Wrexham is bidding to win the competition for the second time, having only narrowly missed out in 2025.
Councillor Hugh Jones, Lead Member for the Wrecsam2029 bid, added: “We’re delighted to have made the final shortlist. Since our previous bid, we’ve continued to put culture at the heart of our long-term ambitions for Wrexham.
“With our partners, we’re already doing a huge amount of work to create opportunities and improve the lives of our communities beyond 2029. However, Wrexham still faces significant challenges and inequalities, and winning would bring necessary additional investment and profile, helping accelerate and secure the long-lasting generational change we are working hard to deliver, particularly for our children and young people, and our grassroots cultural sector.”
Alwyn Jones, Wrexham Council’s Chief Executive, said: “If we win this competition and become the first Welsh UK City of Culture, it will be one of the greatest moments in Wrexham’s history.
“Wrexham is already working hard to achieve its full potential, and in the past couple of years we’ve seen the regeneration of the High Street and the indoor markets, the transformation of the Old Library into a creative hub, and the rebirth of Wrexham Museum – now also home to The Football Museum of Wales.
“Only last week, the Welsh Government announced £5 million to help transform Henblas Street, Chester Street and the former Hippodrome site, and the football club is also making tremendous progress with the new Kop at the SToK Cae Ras.
“Winning this competition would turbo-charge Wrexham’s confidence and growth, and I know that Wrexham would be a City of Culture that Wales and the UK could be proud of.”
