Grimsby officially launches bid for UK Town of Culture 2028

Photo: Great Grimsby Board backs the bid

Grimsby has officially entered the running for UK Town of Culture 2028.

Backed by North East Lincolnshire Council and the wonderful new Horizon Youth Zone, there’s support from the creative and heritage sector, local businesses, political leaders, and organisations.

An initial expression of interest will be submitted that will showcase Grimsby’s creative ambition. Reflecting on our heritage, it aims to unleash the creative potential of the town’s children, young people and families.

This builds on major investment in culture in North East Lincolnshire in recent years, most recently seeing the opening of Horizon. This new charity provides a safe, inspiring place for young people and has been developed in renewed heritage buildings along the River Freshney. The wonderful facilities include quality creative space.

Since 2023, spearheaded by Create North East Lincolnshire, more than £9.45m of investment has been secured by local organisations – collaborating in more than 100 funding bids to organisations such as Arts Council England, National Lottery Community Fund, and  National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The UK Town of Culture bid was endorsed by the Greater Grimsby Board at its meeting today (Friday 27 February).

Now the council and Horizon will be asking everyone to help shape the expression of interest and ‘back the bid’ by using #GY28 in social media posts, by completing a short survey https://tell-us.questionpro.eu/GY28 or participating in workshops throughout March.

To find out more head to www.nelincs.gov.uk/uk-town-of-culture. 

Events where you can ‘Back the Bid’ include 

• 2025 Group – Grimsby Town Regeneration update, Tuesday 3 March, 5.30 to 8pm. Tickets on Eventbrite 
• Create NEL drop in on 5 March, 10am to noon, The Business Hive, 13 Dudley St, Grimsby DN31 2AW  (no need to book). 
• Our Future’s Our House on 9 & 10 March at 5pm  – Tickets on Eventbrite 

• Grimsby UK Town of Culture 2028 Workshop – Wednesday 11 March, 2pm – 4pm, Weston Hall, YMCA Humber – Tickets on Eventbrite
•  Love Grimsby on 21 March – Find out more about the event. 

Grimsby must submit its initial Expression of Interest by 31 March, with shortlisted towns announced in Spring 2026. Final bids are due Autumn 2026, and the winner will be announced in early 2027, receiving £3m to deliver a year-long cultural programme in 2028. Two runners-up will each receive £250,000.

The competition follows the success of the UK City of Culture programme, which was hosted in 2017 by Hull, generating more than £300-million of investment and boosting tourism by nearly 10%.

Lucy Ottewell-Key, Chief Executive of Horizon Youth Zone, said:

“Horizon Youth Zone is excited be working with the council for Grimsby to become the first UK Town of Culture. Our young people are leading the charge, they are creative, fearless and ready to show the nation exactly what this town can do. 

This opportunity gives them a platform to step into the spotlight and shape the future they want to see. And as Simon Armitage, Poet Laureate, wrote in the specially commissioned poem to celebrate our opening, ‘step forward, the future starts at your feet.’

Young people are driving Grimsby’s next chapter, and we are proud to stand beside them as they elevate ambitions and redefine what is possible.”

North East Lincolnshire Council Leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, said:

“Grimsby has a powerful story to tell, and this bid brings together the ambition, creativity and resilience of our communities. Winning UK Town of Culture would accelerate the transformation already happening here and give our young people even greater opportunities to thrive. We are proud to put Grimsby forward and confident we can show the country what makes our town so special.”

David Ross, Grimsby born arts philanthropist, former Chair of the National Portrait Gallery, Chair of David Ross Education Trust and Chair of the Greater Grimsby Board, said:

“Culture has the power to open doors and raise aspirations, and Grimsby is a place brimming with untapped potential. I’m delighted to support this ambitious bid, which puts young people at its heart and builds on the town’s growing reputation for creativity. This is a moment for Grimsby to shine on a national stage.”

Cllr Hayden Dawkins, NELC Portfolio Holder for Culture, said:

“Local voices will be at the heart of GY28. We’ve seen an incredible cultural shift in recent years, driven by local artists, organisations and volunteers. UK Town of Culture gives us a chance to go even further, bringing people together, celebrating our heritage and championing the next generation. This bid reflects the pride and passion of the people of Grimsby.”

Grimsby & Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn said:

“From the moment I first floated the idea of a Grimsby Town of Culture bid, it’s been clear that this should belong to the people of our area. This plan reflects their ambition, their creativity and their determination to shape the town’s cultural future on their own terms.

“What excites me most is the role young people have played in shaping Grimsby’s bid. Their energy and ideas sit at the heart of this application. This is an exciting opportunity to show the UK what Grimsby has to offer and to give our young people a cultural legacy they can be proud of.”