Becoming UK City of Culture allows communities that don’t usually have a platform to share their stories.
We want the opportunity to tell OUR story – Wrexham’s story
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We want to do more than just talk about what we have, but showcase who we all are, where we’ve come from, and what we’d like our future to be.
As part of the bid we aim to engage with as many members of the community as possible and get their ideas and opinions on what Wrexham’s year as hosts should look like. Creatives will be encouraged to contribute to the decision-making and planning.
Although Wrexham Council are leading on the bid, our businesses and diverse communities are shaping how our year of hosting will look in 2025.
The competition uses culture to ‘level up’ areas of the UK, bringing increased productivity and opportunities to selected areas of the country.
We will explore how culture can reanimate our public spaces and shopping areas, and work on how we can best upgrade our civic and artistic infrastructure to take full advantage of the opportunities that the levelling up agenda provides.
This is especially important as we look to recover from the Covid pandemic.
What are the benefits?
Economic benefits:
- Wrexham will be seen as a region to invest before, during and after hosting both from outside investment, and within Wrexham.
- Wrexham and surrounding areas will see a boost in tourism as a result.
- Our regions covid recovery will be assisted with increased footfall for the county and in the town centre.
- Being hosts of UK City of Culture 2025 will further raise our international profile.
- Hull saw investment of around £219million as hosts in 2017, as well as generating 800 jobs as a direct result of hosting.
Further benefits:
- Wrexham will be the UK focus for culture.
- We’ll raise the bar on our ambitions creating positive changes in the perception of Wrexham both domestically, and to the world.
- It’s our chance to show the world who we are and what we’re made of- hosting will lead to increased community engagement and social inclusion.
- Wrexham winning would mean the award would come to Wales for the first time.
Moneypenny CEO and #Wrecsam2025 bid steering group chair Joanna Swash said:
“By supporting the Wrexham UK City of Culture bid 2025 we can put our community first and highlight our enthusiasm for what Wrexham has to offer. We have deep roots in the town, and are passionate about supporting our people and the wider community that we are a part of.”
Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Place and Partnerships at Wrexham County Borough Council said:“We’re in this competition because we want to win and have Wrexham host UK City of Culture in 2025. From 20 initial applications we have stiff competition from the other 7 regions who made it onto the longlist with us.
“We have put together a City of Culture team who are currently working flat out to give us the best chance of success.
“Key to the bid’s success is community engagement and involvement in the process. We have invited communities and individuals to bid for funding of up to £1,000 to put on an event showcasing Wrexham’s communities and culture.
“We currently gathering community insight* that will be used to shape the bid.”
*have your say link: http://www.yourvoicewrexham.net/survey/1454
People can keep up to date with the latest news by following our #tag #Wrecsam2025 or by visiting our website wrecsam2025.com
