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UK City of Culture: Southampton welcomes 2025 judges

Dave Dodge Photography Kids Welcome SignDave Dodge Photography
Local schoolchildren welcomed the judges to Southampton

Southampton has welcomed the UK City of Culture 2025 judges, ahead of a decision on who will win the title.

The panel toured the city centre and the St Mary's, Millbrook and Weston areas on foot and by boat, bus and car.

They met local community groups, artists and businesses who were supporting Southampton's bid.

The city is competing against Wrexham, Bradford and County Durham. The winner will be announced in Coventry, the current title-holder, in late May.

City College City College students Trumeeka and Kirsten with BBC Masterchef winner Shelina PermallooCity College
City College students Trumeeka and Kirsten with BBC Masterchef winner Shelina Permalloo showed off their catering skills to the panel

The judging panel began their tour at Godshouse Tower art gallery before a boat tour during which they were greeted by hundreds of school children lined up along Weston Shore.

The panel had lunch prepared by Southampton's MasterChef winner and SO25 UK City of Culture chair Shelina Permalloo at City College.

Embroidered table runners for the lunch were specially created by the city's Women Integration Group.

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Local singer ShannonB gave a performance at The Saints Pub for judges as part of the festivities
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Analysis

By Emily Hudson, BBC South political reporter

There are six hours to show off Southampton and make it shine, so it's an intensive schedule for the judges.

This visit is about showing off Southampton's landmarks, heritage and cultural places.

The tour started at God's House Tower - a medieval gatehouse, now a contemporary art gallery and space for artists. It's one of the places Southampton hopes will make it a great centre for culture.

But it's also about showing the city's people, its diverse communities and the need for the multi-million pound investment the title would bring.

The bid team will be hoping they will have done enough to "Make it SO".

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The judging panel also called in at St Mary's Football Stadium.

With a capacity of 32,384, the home of Southampton FC is currently the largest football stadium outside London in the south of England.

The city will host a ministerial visit next week before a final pitch to the judges and the final decision at the end of the month.

Dave Dodge Photography City of CultureDave Dodge Photography
From left to right: BBC Masterchef winner Shelina Permalloo with Southampton bid director Claire Whitaker OBE, head of culture & tourism Carolyn Abel and councillor Satvir Kaur

Bid director Claire Whitaker said: "If we are chosen to be UK City of Culture, we stand ready to deliver.

"Southampton has the will, the support and the commitment to make it happen here."

School children
School children gathered on Weston Shore to cheer the judges on their boat trip on Southampton Water

If Southampton is chosen, it plans to host an opening celebration on land, sea and air in May 2025.

UK City of Culture is a competition run by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport every four years.

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Flyboarder James Prestwood gave a display for the judges

The winner holds the title for one year.

Previous title-holders include Derry-Londonderry in 2013 and Hull in 2017.

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