Morecambe’s bid to become the UK’s first Town of Culture has been unsuccessful.
14 towns across Lancashire had submitted an application, but none have made a shortlist which has been published by the government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The only town to make the shortlist in the North West is Birkenhead in Merseyside.
The shortlisted towns will receive £60,000 each to prepare their final bids with the overall winner set to be announced early next year.
The towns competing for the title were grouped into categories based on size of small, medium, and large.
The competition is part of the government’s broader initiative to enhance pride in communities across Britain through cultural investment.
A group of creative and cultural organisations based in Morecambe were put together to work on the submission, alongside collaborators from sectors including health, environment, education, young people and the third sector to shape the narrative and build a compelling bid.
A spokesperson for Morecambe Town Council said: ‘’Congratulations to Corby Town Council and Sandown Town Council on making the shortlist for the inaugural UK Town of Culture.
‘’A big thank you to More Music Deco Publique, Morecambe Winter Gardens and Lancaster City Council for developing Morecambe’s submission – there is a lot of momentum to build on for the future.’’
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I want to say a massive congratulations to the fifteen shortlisted towns and I wish them luck in the next round of the competition.
‘’The fact that we received so many applications just goes to show how proud people are of their towns. When I launched this competition, I wanted to shine a light on our amazing towns all across the UK and the huge contribution they make to our national life.
"I am so glad that so many towns have applied and I hope each and every town, whether they have been shortlisted or not, is incredibly proud of the work they have done to champion their local community."
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