Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has revealed which ‘Town of Culture’ bid he is backing - as both Ilkley and Keighley compete for the national award.
The new competition, launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), will see towns across the UK compete for the title.
The winning town will receive £3 million in 2028, while three finalists will each receive £250,000. Shortlisted towns will also receive at £60,000 grant to help develop their bid.
But rather than choosing between Keighley and Ilkley, local MP Robbie Moore says BOTH bids have his backing.
Mr Moore has pointed out that both towns are applying in different categories within the competition based on their population size, meaning both could progress to the final stage.
On the bid process, Mr Moore said:
“What many people may not realise is that our two local towns they are applying in different categories. Ilkley’s bid is being submitted as a Small Town application, while Keighley’s is a Medium Town application. That means there is an opportunity for both towns to progress to the final stages of the competition, which - most importantly - comes with £250,000 of investment.”
For Ilkley, the Town of Culture bid is an opportunity to celebrate the town’s long-standing reputation as a centre for arts, culture and creativity, as well as the vibrant community life that continues to attract visitors from across the region.
Supporting Ilkey’s bid, Robbie Moore MP said:
"Ilkley has an exceptional cultural offering for a town of its size. From the Ilkley Literature Festival, the Beer Festival, the Half Marathon and the Ilkley Tennis Open to our theatres, galleries and iconic Lido, there is never a shortage of things to do for people of all ages. Above all, there is a strong culture of collaboration to bring these events together, which is exactly what competitions like this are designed to showcase.
"Not only has this helped Ilkley in being officially rated the Best Place to Live in the UK, we’re also home to the anthem of Yorkshire itself.
"This is about celebrating what’s good about Ilkley while attempting to secure up to £3 investment to help make our town even better. I look forward to supporting Ilkley’s bid throughout the process.”
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