Grimsby is looking for an exceptional creative partner to help tell one of the most exciting stories in its recent history. As Grimsby prepares its bid for UK Town of Culture 2028, we need a talented designer, brand creator or creative agency to help bring our vision to life.
This is a rare opportunity to create the public-facing identity for a campaign that will inspire a town, unite communities and help redefine how Grimsby is seen by the rest of the country.
This campaign will play a central role in celebrating Grimsby’s creativity, ambition and confidence, leaving a lasting legacy for our people and place.
Building on the existing GY28 identity, we’re seeking a creative partner who can develop a bold and compelling brand that resonates with local people while capturing national attention.
We want work that feels authentic to Grimsby: proud, confident, resilient and creative. This is not about generic place branding. It is about creating a powerful visual and creative movement that reflects our heritage, our thriving industries, our cultural energy and our future as a leading centre for renewable energy and innovation.
We are bringing together artists, cultural organisations, businesses, residents and young people behind a shared ambition. Your work will help inspire participation, create excitement and demonstrate that Grimsby is a serious contender for Town of Culture 2028.
As proud Grimbarians, we know our story is one of grit, determination and reinvention. Now we need the creative talent to help us tell it.
This opportunity follows on from a number of Town of Culture creative freelance roles announced earlier this week which both Melanie Onn, MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes and Chair of the Town of Culture sub group, and Cllr Tanya Brasted, NELC Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy, described as opportunities to help shape how an entire town sees itself and how it is seen by others
The successful creative partner will be tasked with developing and evolving the GY28 brand into a distinctive and compelling identity for Grimsby’s Town of Culture 2028 campaign. This will include a creative interpretation of the existing GY28 logo, a bespoke colour palette for print and digital use, typography, and comprehensive brand guidelines covering logo application, imagery, tone of voice and visual style.
The appointed designer or agency will also help shape the campaign’s creative direction, refining key messages, developing headline statements and calls to action, and producing a clear campaign narrative that reflects Grimsby’s ambition, creativity and pride.
Alongside the core branding work, the commission will deliver a suite of ready-to-use social media assets designed for a range of platforms and formats, as well as a practical co-branding toolkit to enable partners across the borough to support the campaign.
Designed with ease of use in mind, the toolkit will include editable templates, flexible logo options, guidance on photography and messaging, and simple instructions to help organisations, businesses and community groups apply the brand consistently while maintaining a unified and recognisable GY28 campaign identity.
Who Should Apply?
We’re interested in hearing from designers, creative studios and agencies with experience of delivering impactful place-based, cultural or destination branding campaigns.
We are particularly keen to see examples of work that builds on an existing brand identity; creates strong public engagement; delivers practical, easy-to-use toolkits for partners; and demonstrates confident and distinctive creative thinking.
Please send your CV or company profile and a covering letter (maximum 500 words) outlining how you meet the brief; relevant experience; your initial creative thoughts on the GY28 opportunity; your availability to meet the project timescales; at least two relevant examples of previous branding and campaign work (links or PDF attachments); and a proposed budget, including a clear cost breakdown.
Timescales
We are seeking a partner who can begin work immediately, with the majority of assets required by 15 September. Send your application to: createnortheastlincolnshire@nelincs.gov.uk The deadline is Tuesday 1 September, 2:00pm.
Please see our Town of Culture webpage for full details of the role and responsibilities before applying. UK Town of Culture | NELC or click here: https://ce0552li.webitrent.com/ce0552li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/etrec179gf.open?WVID=552861255F&LANG=USA&VACANCY_ID=790206E3g8
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