Arts Minister: It’s a fantastic achievement

COVENTRY winning the race to become UK City of Culture 2021 has been hailed as “a fantastic achievement” by Arts Minister John Glen.

Speaking after the announcement on Thursday night Mr Glen, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Tourism, said: “Well, I am delighted for Coventry. It is a fantastic achievement for them. I know the team are absolutely thrilled.”

Mr Glen also paid tribute to the quality of all the bids by the five finalists.

“It was a very tight contest with five very compelling bids,” he said.

“It was a close decision but it was a unanimous decision by the independent panel Phil Redmond who advised me to make the decision.”

As to what helped set Coventry apart Mr Glen said: “I think it is the scale of their bid - their ambitions for young people and the diversity of Coventry actually being at the centre of their projections for what they want to achieve and I think they will impact a large amount of the UK which is really important.”

In terms of what it will mean going forward Mr Glen addd: “We want something that will have a big impact.

“That is what we have seen in Hull and I think Coventry will take that mantle of the title and do something different but equally impactful as we have seen in Hull.

“The data is fantastic. I mean nine out of ten people in Hull say they have experienced something of UK City of Culture this year, which is great.

“I think people are excited by arts and culture in a way they weren’t before.”