City turns back on culture crown
Civic chiefs in Bath have pulled out of the race to become the first-ever UK City of Culture.
The city was yesterday named by Government officials on a list of 29 areas which had “put themselves forward as potential candidates” for the moneyspinning accolade.
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But within 24 hours, Bath and North East Somerset Council announced it would not be submitting a formal bid.
It said putting together a bid would be too expensive at a time when public spending would be facing tight curbs.
The winning city would host a string of glittering events including the Turner Prize, The Brits and the TV Baftas, in the year 2013.
Plans for a UK City of Culture emerged following Liverpool’s success in a similar European competition, which is said to have brought 3.5 million extra visitors to the city over the year.
The expanding European border means a British city will not have the opportunity to compete for the European title again until 2032 at the earliest.
Today a spokesman for the council said: “'The resources required to assemble a bid are significant. Bath and North East Somerset Council must prioritise its resources to deliver the high quality local services that residents expect and meet significant challenges alongside our partners, such as regenerating our local economy.
“Therefore, as well as our neighbours Bristol City Council, we will not be entering a bid. At no stage has the council indicated an intention to the Government to bid for the City of Culture.”
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport put out the list ahead of a seminar on the project which took place yesterday.
A DCMS spokesman said it was unaware that B&NES was no longer interested.
“They did not attend the seminar yesterday but, when asked, did confirm that they wanted to remain in the running.
“At this stage these are 'expressions of interest' rather than formal bids.”
17 Comments
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by Nige, Northend
Monday, September 14 2009, 10:06AM
“Let's hope this is the start of a realistic review of all current and future expenditures of our money. Somehow I doubt it.”
by Helen, Bath
Monday, September 14 2009, 9:07AM
“If EFL students descending on a city stop it being a 'city of heritage', Oxford, Cambridge and Canterbury (to name but three) ceased to be cities of heritage a long time ago.”
by Nadine, Bath
Sunday, September 13 2009, 10:38AM
“Cllr Hanney - shame you haven't applied the same principles of prudence when considering the suitability of the BTP.
Or is it that the £3.5 million your Council have already spent on that 'project' has been a significant contributor to your "major pressure on resources etc. etc."?”
by rjs, Bath
Sunday, September 13 2009, 7:25AM
“According to a magazine which I was looking through while at the doctors' surgery about a month ago, Bath is NO longer 'A CITY OF HERITAGE', because according to the article 'there are too many foreign students during the summer months'.”
by airhellair, howareyou
Saturday, September 12 2009, 7:00PM
“"Meanwhile, should we, as citizens, write to the DCMS and tell them that we would like it to take part, never mind what our bunch of out-of-towners - aka the B&NES Cabinet - think."
Clearly a busybody. BANES includes those from Saltford and Keynsham, not just ones with their heads up their posteriors who live in Bath.”
by Malcolm Hanney (Cllr.), Guildhall
Saturday, September 12 2009, 5:27PM
“As far as I am aware, the Council never expressed an interest. Last time sensibly it worked with Bristol but the joint bid lost to Liverpool. The timeframe and costs this time would be unrealistic and I note that Bristol has a similar view. A bid on our own would have been unrealistic given costs, timeframe, bid requirements, other major pressures on resources etc. etc.”
by Ian, Bath
Saturday, September 12 2009, 11:23AM
“Why is anyone suprised? When was the last time the council did anything for the best interests of the city rather than their own interests?”
by Daisy Cutter, Bath
Saturday, September 12 2009, 9:12AM
“makemineadouble - with a name like yours you really shouldn't be underestimating the possible impact of the drinking culture!”
by JM, Bath
Saturday, September 12 2009, 8:22AM
“Clarys is absolutely right and beyond that there is no argument. Until we have a decent concert and events venue we will never get anywhere. I don't think the Forum, Pavilion or Assembly Rooms are quite up to this! They could have built something wonderful on the Western Riverside but the opportunity is gone now.”
by makemineadouble, bath
Saturday, September 12 2009, 7:48AM
“Sound decision what with the proposed wethouse and alcohol at Alice Park the council are not exactly encouraging culture.”