Town of Culture 2028

July 2026 – Bishop Auckland Proudly Reflects on Town of Culture 2028 Bid

Whilst naturally disappointed that Bishop Auckland has not been shortlisted for UK Town of Culture 2028, Bishop Auckland Town Council could not be prouder of what the Expression of Interest (EOI) has achieved.

With the Government confirming that almost 400 bids were received from towns across the country, the level of competition was exceptional. Simply having the opportunity to tell Bishop Auckland’s story on a national stage has been something to celebrate.

Bishop Auckland has a remarkable story to tell and has undergone a significant cultural transformation in recent years. From nationally significant heritage sites such as Auckland Palace and Binchester Roman Fort, and internationally acclaimed attractions including the Spanish Gallery and Faith Museum, to the creativity on display at Bishop Auckland Town Hall and the enduring appeal of Kynren, culture has become central to the town’s identity and future.

The EOI celebrated the people who make Bishop Auckland such a vibrant place to live, work and visit. Community groups, volunteers, schools, artists, musicians and local organisations came together to showcase the town’s creativity, alongside the events that bring thousands of people together each year, including Bishop Auckland Food Festival, Christmas Town, and the many performances, exhibitions and celebrations that take place throughout the year. These events continue to redefine the town, while the passion of local people helps shape its future.

The EOI also recognised the important role that sport plays in the life of the town. From the historic success and national reputation of Bishop Auckland Football Club to the strong community spirit fostered by local rugby, cricket and grassroots sports clubs, sporting achievement and participation are woven into the fabric of Bishop Auckland. These activities help bring people together, inspire future generations and strengthen local pride.

The EOI reflected all of this, but it also demonstrated something equally important. It showed just how quickly the town can come together behind a shared vision. Community groups, businesses, schools, artists, volunteers, cultural organisations and residents all played their part, united by an overwhelming sense of pride in Bishop Auckland and confidence in its future.

Mayor of Bishop Auckland, Cllr Michael Siddle said:
“Although this is not the outcome that was hoped for, the relationships, ideas and momentum forged through this process will not be lost. The bid has strengthened the determination of those involved to continue celebrating the town’s heritage, investing in its cultural offer, and creating opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy and participate in culture.”

Bishop Auckland Town Council would like to thank every person and organisation who helped shape the EOI. Their enthusiasm has once again demonstrated that Bishop Auckland is a town with ambition, resilience and a community that believes in itself.

Bishop Auckland Town Council congratulates the shortlisted towns, wishes them every success to them the next stage of the competition. The Council looks forward to seeing the Town of Culture programme celebrate communities across the country, while Bishop Auckland continues writing the next chapter of its own cultural story.

June 2026 – Bishop Auckland Postcard

You may all be aware that Bishop Auckland has officially entered the competition to become the UK Town of Culture 2028, we submitted our ‘expression of interest’ in March 2026, we had hoped to learn if we were through to the next round by late Spring but the volume of entries has caused some delays, and we have been told that we should know by the end of July 2026!

However that doesn’t mean we have stopped thinking about what it could mean for our town and doing some background planning.  As part of the process whilst we await announcements, we have been asked to submit a digital postcard from Bishop Auckland to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).  We had less than a week to mobilise and submit our entry, but the greatest challenge was only having 100 words to write about all the great things that you can see and do when you come here! So stay on the look out as we may have more postcards coming out soon!

We were delighted to learn that the postcard we submitted will be put with the others, and the National Museum Liverpool has agreed to accession all postcards into their collection in recognition of the importance that this moment represents.

You can now view our entry alongside others from across the country on the Official UK Town of Culture Digital Map (Google Maps)

Bishop Auckland Town Council’s formal expression of interest to become the UK’s first Town of Culture in 2028, was submitted in March 2026 marking an important step in showcasing the town’s heritage, creativity, and the people who make our town special. This national programme celebrates places with strong identity, rich heritage and vibrant, diverse communities. Winning the title would bring significant cultural opportunities, investment and visibility to our town.

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 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 bid will highlight the significant progress already being made locally, an ambitious vision for how arts, heritage, and community-led activity can continue to grow in the years ahead, leaving a lasting legacy. We believe culture can help drive long‑term change, improve wellbeing and open new opportunities for local people of all ages.

Through our bid, we want to:

• showcase Bishop Auckland’s heritage and creativity
• bring more cultural activity into our neighbourhoods
• support young people and local talent
• strengthen partnerships across South West Durham
• create lasting benefits for residents, businesses and visitors

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.

Councillor Mike Harker, Chair of Town of Culture Working Group:

“Following the initial Town of Culture 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.”

If you are keen to learn more or be involved in the Town of Culture bid you can sign up to our Mailing List – Sign up for Town of Culture information or you can email townofculture@bishopauckland-tc.gov.uk