One step closer! Portsmouth makes the longlist for UK City of Culture 2029

City of Portsmouth College is celebrating the great news that our city, Portsmouth, has made the longlist for UK City of Culture 2029.

Portsmouth is one of nine cities to make the longlist, alongside Blackpool, Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Sheffield, Swindon and Wrexham. Each city now receives £60,000 from the government to develop their full application, and the overall winner will be announced later this year.

Bernie Topham, Chair of Portsmouth Creates, who is delivering the bid in partnership with Portsmouth City Council, said: “We are truly ecstatic that we have made the longlist of cities in the running to become UK City of Culture 2029. Even at the very start of this process we have seen and felt first-hand the incredible power that a competition like this can have on a community and place.

“This is a hugely proud moment for everyone here in Portsmouth, now we must continue working together to put Portsmouth on the map… because together, We Are Pompey 2029!”

City of Portsmouth College is a Key Partner in Portsmouth’s bid, working with Portsmouth Creates on a variety of projects that boost community engagement and beautification. As Portsmouth celebrates its 100th anniversary as a city in 2026, the College is excited to take part in those celebrations, including this week’s community partnership dinner in association with Unloc.

Katy Quinn, Principal and CEO, said: “City of Portsmouth College is absolutely thrilled to hear the news that our great city is one of the long-listed candidates for UK City of Culture 2029. Now we’re one step closer, we encourage everyone to do everything that they can to help Portsmouth take the crown it rightfully deserves, and we’ll be doing the same!”

Show your support for the bid by visiting the We Are Pompey 2029 website, and celebrating Portsmouth on your social media, by following the bid on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and posting your own Portsmouth treasures using the hashtags #wearepompey2029 #portsmouth2029.