Carlisle to build on UK City of Culture bid

Carlisle is pressing ahead with plans to make the city a thriving cultural destination after reaching the long-list in the national UK City of Culture competition. The city, which has been invited to explore becoming a regional culture hub, is publishing its first ever cultural events programme.

Now partners have pledged that Carlisle’s bid, ‘The Once and Future City’, will remain the blueprint for unlocking the economic and social benefits of a vibrant cultural offer for local people and businesses. The bid was put together on behalf of a range of partners with a stake in the city’s future success, including Carlisle Renaissance, Carlisle City Council, Carlisle Tourism Partnership, CN Group, Kendal Arts International, University of Cumbria and Culture Cumbria. Together partners will build on the momentum created by the formal bid to realise goals relating to jobs, Carlisle’s visitor economy, a cultural programme for the city and spin-off benefits such as new investment and match-funding opportunities.

Bryan Gray, Chairman of Carlisle Renaissance said: “To reach the long-list of the most prestigious cultural competition in the UK at our first attempt is a significant achievement for the city and a massive step in the right direction for Carlisle’s cultural reputation. Already the UK City of Culture programme has worked wonders in bringing people to the table to work together for the city’s future and putting the foundations in place for where we need to be. The goals contained in the bid remain as relevant today as they did when it was first submitted, so little has changed. The evidence is clear that culture is pivotal to Carlisle’s future success and could lead to enormous benefits for everyone, whether they live here, visit or run a business in the city. We will use the bid process, the lessons learned from it and the formal feedback from the panel to steer the next phase.”

Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr Mike Mitchelson, said: “All of us, who have a passion for Carlisle and its future success, need to play our part to champion the city for its cultural assets whether that is through the arts, education, heritage and sport. The City Council is working hard to support the city’s economy, create jobs and enhance skills and learning. The UK City of Culture bid was about looking to the future with an aspiration and vision of what we can achieve and offer in the future in all these areas.”

Ian McNichol, Director of Carlisle Renaissance, said: “This aspirational bid has helped change perceptions of Carlisle both inside the city and out. To make the final 14 demonstrates how far ambitions have grown in a short space of time. I’d rather Carlisle is a city of ambition that tries to win big because the alternative is a city of cynicism too afraid to take part. It has helped make the city more self-aware of what it has to offer and what it needs, as well as giving everyone a clear sense of where it wants to be, what it needs to do next and what we are capable of.”

Cumbria County Councillor John Mallinson, Chair of Carlisle Local Committee, said: “It’s obviously disappointing for Carlisle to miss out on becoming the first City of Culture in the UK but I’m pleased with the work that has gone on to enhance the cultural aspect of the city – we should all be proud that Carlisle is striving to hit the heights that we know it can reach. 

“Making the original long-list was in itself a great achievement which has raised Carlisle’s profile on a national stage and I hope the work which has started here will continue over the coming years.”   

Robin Burgess, Chief Executive of CNGroup Ltd said: “Clearly I’m disappointed we are not going to be the UK’s City of Culture however throughout the bidding process we saw a real groundswell of public support for doing more with our cultural offer. I’m delighted that the head of steam the bid has created will be translated into real actions by partners that care about Carlisle’s future, and greater opportunities for local people to share what they love about our city with an even bigger audience than ever before.”

Partners have also today unveiled the city’s first ever cultural events listings. This will be used to attract even more visitors from the cultural trail to provide a welcome boost to the economy of Carlisle and its city-area, as Marie Whitehead of the Carlisle Tourism Partnership explained: "Naturally we would have preferred Carlisle to win but it's still a massive achievement and we've learned from the process and there's a platform now to work from, which will use this to unlock Carlisle’s huge cultural potential. The city has much worth shouting about, and we and everyone else that cares about Carlisle will make sure that we do.”

 Julie Tait, of Kendal Arts International added: “Carlisle is a wonderful city, with a unique culture that deserves to celebrated and developed. The culture bid has given Carlisle a spotlight to shout about its cultural assets: heritage, music, great outdoor events and visual arts. And with culture now higher up the city’s agenda, this year Carlisle is unveiling a jam-packed calendar of high-quality events. Kick-starting with the spectacular Welcoming the Light on 13 March, this year marks a new era for creativity in Carlisle and many more opportunities for local people, visitors, and creative practitioners to get involved.”

Jane Beardsworth, Head of Development at the Arts Council England North West, said: “Carlisle has tremendous potential as a centre for nurturing creativity. We embrace the principles of ‘The Once and Future City’ in terms of expanding cultural participation opportunities and developing creative talent locally, and greatly look forward to working with Carlisle as a cultural hub for the Northwest.”

Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said: “Carlisle’s bid to become UK City of Culture has focused the city’s efforts on its cultural product. It is vital that we now build on this work to establish Carlisle as a cultural hub and make the most of the collaborative approach that has developed. The work done so far provides a strong grounding and I’m confident that culture will play a significant role in the regeneration of Carlisle.”

Carlisle was originally one of 29 places across the United Kingdom to bid for the cultural accolade.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport today revealed the shortlisted areas that will go forward in the inaugural competition. The announcement means Carlisle reached the final 14 in the race to win the prestigious accolade.

Carlisle’s cultural event guide, published today, is available from the Carlisle Tourist Information Centre or online at www.historic-carlisle.org.uk. ‘The Once and Future City’, detailing the city’s cultural development blueprint, is available online too.