Portsmouth City Council has committed an additional £120,000 to support the next phase of the city’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029, strengthening Portsmouth’s chances as it develops its full submission following the longlist announcement.
The investment will help ensure the city has the capacity, engagement and momentum needed as the competition moves into its next, more demanding stage. As the process progresses, expectations around the quality and visibility of bids increase, requiring additional resource to deliver a strong submission.
The funding will support:
- Additional short‑term resource, increasing capacity within the bidding team to manage the increased workload and tight timescales
- Development and delivery of the bid campaign, ensuring Portsmouth’s story is told clearly and consistently at a local and national level
- Consultation meetings and community events, supporting meaningful engagement with residents, creatives and partners across the city
The commitment builds on the £60,000 development funding awarded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport following Portsmouth’s inclusion on the longlist, and underlines the council’s confidence in the ambition and potential of the bid.
Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibility for culture, regeneration and economic development, said: “Making the longlist was an important milestone, but it’s what we do next that really matters.
“This £120,000 investment backs Portsmouth at a critical point in the competition, giving the bid team the capacity to engage more people, develop a strong campaign and keep communities at the heart of the city’s story.
“It also comes during the year‑long Portsmouth100 celebrations, marking 100 years of city status, when we’re already building pride across the city. That momentum provides a strong foundation for the next stage of the UK City of Culture bid and reflects our commitment to long‑term benefits for Portsmouth.”
Portsmouth is now developing its full bid alongside partners and communities across the city, building on the energy already generated through initiatives such as Portsmouth100 and wider cultural activity.
If successful, the UK City of Culture title would bring national recognition and up to £10 million from government to deliver a year‑long cultural programme, alongside wider economic, social, and cultural benefits for Portsmouth.