Coventry to be UK city of culture

IT is the birthplace of Philip larkin, The Specials, and a striking post-war cathedral.

Now all these and more are set to be celebrated – as Coventry has been named as the next uk City of Culture in 2021.

The West Midlands town beat Paisley, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland and Swansea to the title, which is awarded every four years and currently held by Hull.

The winner was announced by the arts minister John Glen last nighton BBC1’s The One Show.

as part of the prize, Coventry will have access to a £3million Heritage lottery hund grant.

laura McMillan, manager of the Coventry city of culture trust, said: ‘It’s been a bid by and for the people of Coventry.

‘It has brought so many people and organisations together and this is just the start.’