Southampton loses bid to become UK City of Culture 2025

Southampton has lost its bid to become the UK's City of Culture for 2025.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries announced the decision from a shortlist alongside Wrexham, Bradford and County Durham.

The title, which is awarded every four years, has gone to Bradford, following Coventry's delayed year-long celebration of arts and culture

Southampton bid director Claire Whitaker said she was proud of the "passion and support of the city".

The UK City of Culture competition is run by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Bradford will be the third UK City of Culture - after Coventry, Hull and Derry/Londonderry.

A large crowd had gathered at Solent University to hear the winner announced on the BBC's One Show.

Southampton City Council Leader Satvir Kaur told those attending the authority would "continue to makes waves" and urged them them to "keep believing".

She said: "Of course we are disappointed, but the process has been completely transformative in the city. We have come together like we have never done before.

"As someone born and bred in Southampton I have noticed this has really given us that sense of pride."

Ms Kaur added her "frustration" that it seemed places like Southampton and other areas in the south were "overlooked".

As part of the city's efforts to win over the panel earlier this month, SO25 campaigners took judges on a tour around the city, including visits to Godshouse Tower art gallery, St Mary's Stadium and a boat trip past Western Shore.

Southampton's MasterChef winner and SO25 UK City of Culture chair Shelina Permalloo also prepared lunch for the panel.

She said of the loss: "The people of Southampton are resilient, Sotonians will always bounce back.

"We are not going to lose this momentum, I don't think there's anything we could have done differently - we have managed to show our city as the most beautiful city."

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