Stockport has earned the title of Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2023, securing £50,000 to support arts and creativity in the borough.
The town’s bid was centred around the One Stockport vision to support the local economy, connect communities and promote health and wellbeing.
A year-long Town of Culture programme will soon be revealed, underpinned by four elements that celebrate arts and creativity, as well as the town’s diverse cultural heritage: Stockport Makes, Stockport Moves, Stockport Sounds and Stockport Tastes.
Stockport follows in the footsteps of Stalybridge, which held the title in 2022, and Bury, which was announced as the inaugural Town of Culture for 2020 and held the title through 2021 after the pandemic put a number of events on hold.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “It’s a real pleasure to be able to announce Stockport as our third ever Town of Culture for 2023. The town put forward a strong case for the accolade, backed up by some really exciting plans for events and activities that celebrate Stockport’s identity, its history, but also shine a spotlight on everything that’s happening right now.
“I think the fact that we’ve got Blossoms coming out to support us today just goes to show the talent that is coming out of this place and the pride they have in their hometown. I’m pleased to see so many cultural organisations and community groups already engaging with the Town of Culture project, because they’re the ones that will really bring this together. There’s a real buzz about the place at the moment – the regeneration taking place through the Mayoral Development Corporation is transforming the town centre, and now this recognition and the funding that comes with it will help Stockport capitalise on all of that.”
The accolade coincides with the upcoming £1bn plans recently laid out to redevelop the town centre.
- Words:
- Bradley Lengden
- Published on:
- Wed 24 May 2023
