City of Culture could attract over £200 M
Norwich’s bid to become the UK City of Culture 2013 has been submitted today. While the precise details are being kept under wraps, the bid includes world premieres, pop concerts and mass street feasts over the year. If Norwich wins, it could be worth over £200 million to the local economy.
Norwich was shortlisted in the competition along with Birmingham, Sheffield and Derry/Londonderry and its supporters include the likes of Stephen Fry and Ian McEwan.
Stephen Fry explained why he’s supporting the bid: “The city of Norwich has many fans, of which I am one. It has a fantastic and historic urban fabric, a glorious rural hinterland and an unparalleled coastline of which I am proud to be able to tell people. I support the football club here and applaud the initiatives which I see taking place all over the city, wrought by the many excellent cultural organisations who work together to ensure an excellent quality of life for the citizens and those who are lucky enough to visit or stay.”
Next month, the team behind the bid will make a presentation to the independent panel chaired by Phil Redmond, creative director of Liverpool’s 2008 Capital of Culture. It then passes its verdict to the Secretary of State for Culture for a final announcement in July. Norwich City Council is leading the bid on behalf of the city and has encouraged the people of Norwich to back the bid.
Comment
