Disappointment as Plymouth's UK City of Culture bid failsCity not included on longlist for £10m prizeView 2 Images Plymouth's The Box, gallery and museum was a part of the City of Culture bid (Image: William Telford)Plymouth has failed in its bid to be named UK City of Culture leaving city leaders “hugely disappointed”. ‌The Department of Culture, Media and Sport longlisted Milton Keynes, Sheffield, Blackpool, Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Swindon, Wrexham and Plymouth’s dockyard rival Portsmouth. They said the bid process created momentum and galvanised the city, bringing together partners, stakeholders and communities around a shared vision for culture. ‌The bid team will now reflect on what has been learned and explore how the ideas, partnerships and public support generated through the bid can continue to strengthen Plymouth’s cultural future. We are committed to building on that momentum and continuing to champion culture as a vital part of Plymouth’s future.

Source: Daily Mirror March 18, 2026 08:46 UTC