Bishop Auckland Town Council is delighted to announce that it is pressing ahead with a formal bid for Town of Culture 2028, marking an important step in showcasing the town’s heritage, creativity, and vibrant community spirit.
The bid will celebrate the town’s distinctive history and cultural strengths, while setting out a forward‑looking vision centred on creativity, inclusivity, and community pride. The council believes that with the support and involvement of residents, Bishop Auckland can stand out as a bold contender for Town of Culture demonstrating the passion, resilience, and innovation that define the town.
To ensure the bid reflects the community’s voice, the working group behind the bid has launched a public survey and is asking as many people as possible to respond.”
Cllr Sam Zair, Mayor of Bishop Auckland said: “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Bishop Auckland. Our town has a powerful cultural story to tell from our heritage assets and events programme to the creativity, passion, and dedication of our residents and volunteers. Our bid will demonstrate that culture isn’t only about performance and heritage; it’s about people, identity, pride of place, and community connection. Winning Town of Culture would help us drive forward positive change.”
As one of County Durham’s largest parishes, Bishop Auckland has long been recognised for its rich history, diverse cultural offer, and strong, resilient communities. The Town of Culture bid will highlight the significant progress already being made locally, while setting out an ambitious vision for how arts, heritage, and community-led activity can continue to grow in the years ahead, leaving a lasting legacy.
Get Involved: Have Your Say Residents can take part until the 3rd March 2026 by completing the survey online at:
If you fill in survey you will be entered into a free prize draw to win a £100 shopping voucher of your choice!
Cllr Mike Harker, Chair of Town of Culture Working Group said: “Following the meeting at the end of January at the Spanish Gallery, a working group has been busy behind the scenes pulling together all the information for the expression of interest. This bid belongs to the whole town, and we cannot do it without our community. We need residents to tell us what culture in Bishop Auckland means to them, their ideas, their priorities, and their ambitions for the future. By completing the survey, our community can directly influence what we present in our bid to be Town of Culture 2028. We encourage everyone to get involved and back the bid.”
Paper copies will also be available on request from the following venues, for those who prefer not to complete it digitally.
- Bishop Auckland Town Council, 54 Kingsway, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7JF
- Artists’ Hub, 43 Market Place, Bishop Auckland, DL14
- Woodhouse Close Community Centre, Proudfoot Drive, Bishop Auckland
- Library, Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland
- To get involved you can register for updates at: Mailing list sign up for Town of Culture information – Fill in form
