Malvern has officially submitted its bid to be in the running for UK Town of Culture 2028.
Working in partnership, Malvern Hills District Council and Malvern Town Council has successfully submitted the Expression of Interest (EOI) for the UK Town of Culture 2028 competition.
The competition is an opportunity for towns to showcase their cultural strengths, creativity, and community spirit.
The submission follows extensive consultation with residents, cultural partners and local businesses, including a residents’ survey, two public workshops and three steering group meetings.
The survey, which closed on Wednesday, 18 March, asked questions about what the area has to offer in terms of arts, culture, heritage, and tourism.
Of the 244 residents who responded to the survey, 86% backed the idea of entering the competition, while over half felt cultural provision could be improved.
Residents highlighted key priorities for the future, including increased creative opportunities for young people, attracting more visitors, expanding participation in cultural activities, strengthening local pride, and better celebrating the area’s heritage.
Insights from the ‘Voice of Youth’ focus group, involving young people aged 10–23, also emphasised the importance of training, collaboration and empowerment to help them develop skills, confidence and pathways into employment through culture.
The initiative aims to boost local pride, attract visitors, support economic growth, and strengthen partnerships across communities, businesses, and cultural organisations.
If successful, the winning area will gain national recognition and secure funding support from UK Government to deliver a year-long programme of arts, heritage, and cultural activities.
Locations that have submitted applications will be promoted, using their location postcard, will be promoted in an interactive digital map on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) website as well as being added to the National Museums Liverpool collection in recognition of the importance that this moment represents.
Cllr Marilyn Birks, Mayor of Malvern, said: “We know Malvern can be great place to live and that there is a thriving cultural scene, but I know from chatting to people in my ward and while I’ve been Mayor that not everyone feels included. By bringing the widest range of people together from across all sections of Malvern, we now have an opportunity to make arts and culture available to all. We want to offer everyone who lives and works in Malvern the chance to feel a pride and connection to the town. Let’s keep fingers crossed we’ve made this case and we will be longlisted for the next stage of the competition.”
Shortlisted places will be announced in July 2026, with winners announced early 2027.
