Two prominent figures call on the community to back Northampton as UK’s first Town of Culture

Towns across the country can now apply until March 31 and the 2028 winner will deliver a vibrant cultural programme showcasing its visions and voices using a £3 million prize fund.

This competition has been rolled out by the government to restore pride in communities and drive local economic growth and opportunity. The aim is to bring in investment and create a lasting sense of pride in towns, as well as open doors to the arts for everyone.

‘We need everyone to bring the energy and find the positives in the pursuit of going for this’

The first of two prominent figures to speak to the Chronicle & Echo was Richard Clinton, chief executive at Delapré Abbey and chair of Discover Northamptonshire and Fermynwoods Contemporary Art.

When asked why he believes Northampton should be entered into the competition, Richard said: “This is a broader question for Northampton and its creative and cultural sector in its broadest sense. We need an understanding that everyone is behind this and to encourage a conversation to happen.

“It’s one thing for West Northamptonshire Council to be behind it, but the creative and cultural sector need to be behind it. We need an understanding of what everyone wants out of it and the output needs to be much longer than a year.

“We need to make Northampton the place to eat, work, sleep and play, and consider how we can inspire the next generation to get into the sector.

“West Northamptonshire Council can facilitate and convene the conversation, and take in the views, desires and appetite of all individuals and organisations for a really strong application.”

Richard is hopeful that the energy of the successful 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton in 2025 can be carried forward into the UK Town of Culture bid.

He also hopes the application will reflect the wide breadth of cultural activity that takes place across Northampton, including the celebration of smaller organisations who Richard believes are not given the applause they deserve. He named Silhouette Youth Theatre as an example.

“£3 million would have an impact, but it's how you use that fund to ensure it’s a legacy,” Richard continued. “The most important thing is the legacy and the opportunities for children and young people over the two to five decades after this has commenced.

“It’s about investing in cultural infrastructure and ensuring buildings are fit for purpose in 30 years. Cultural assets are ageing and need investment.

“Northampton has shown through the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the cycling tour and the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire that it can host and put on events through collective efforts.”

Richard concluded that there is lots to gain even if Northampton is unsuccessful in its bid for UK Town of Culture, because of the newfound partnerships and collaborations that will come out of it.

“You don’t need to achieve it to make big strides,” said Richard. “We need everyone to bring the energy and find the positives in the pursuit of going for this. We need to put our best foot forward.”

‘Even if not successful, big strides will be made’

Next to speak on the potential application was Becky Carrier, who has been the director of Northampton Film Festival for half-a-decade and runs the world’s smallest arts centre The Creative Place on Northampton’s Market Square.

“Conversations are being had,” she told this newspaper. “We’ve seen that Northampton loves an excuse to bring organisations together to do things, and we excel at that.

“There’s no doubt we have everything we need to stand on a world stage creatively and culturally, and we’d need to create a legacy way beyond this scheme.

“We have interesting things on a micro local level and others that are respected internationally. We aren’t so good at recognising that we are known creatively and culturally outside of Northants.”

Becky was asked if she is hopeful that Northampton would stand a fighting chance if entered into the competition. “Absolutely,” she said. “We’ve got all the ingredients and this will bring people together.”

Becky would one day love to see an arts festival take over the streets of Northampton and be part of making that vision a reality, which she is hopeful could be on the cards if successful in the UK Town of Culture competition.

“Everyone is really keen and passionate about Northampton and its creative scene,” said Becky. “If West Northamptonshire Council can be the force that brings us all together and shows us off on a world stage, I encourage them to have a go. Even if not successful, big strides will be made.”

At the Chronicle & Echo, we believe we have so much to shout about on our doorstep. This is a great opportunity to champion what makes our local community special and celebrate the people working hard to make this town a better place.

Although the £3 million prize would be brilliant – and gives the chance to create a lasting legacy as both Richard and Becky said – this competition will put the town under a national spotlight and show the rest of the country what we have to offer creatively and culturally.

What’s your favourite thing about the cultural offering here in Northampton? Email [email protected] with your feedback.