Minister praises cultural vision on Wearside
2021 BID IS LAUDED AS ARTS PRIZE VERDICT DRAWS NEAR
SUNDERLAND has everything it takes to become the UK City of Culture 2021, according to a Government arts minister.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Arts, Heritage and Tourism John Glen praised the city’s bid in the House of Commons.
But he dropped no hints about the eventual winner of the accolade, saying other bids on the shortlist of five were also strong.
Mr Glen said an announcement would be made soon, telling Sunderland MPs: “They only have a matter of a few weeks to wait.”
He spoke after Sunderland Central MP Julie Elliott led a debate about Sunderland’s bid to become City of Culture 2021, a title that could bring a huge boost to the city’s reputation and economy.
Hull, the 2017 City of Culture, has seen £60m of extra wealth generated this year and has attracted £1bn worth of inward investment.
Mr Glen said: “Sunderland has the heritage, vision, infrastructure and cultural leadership to be the next city of culture.”
And he highlighted major projects under way, such as the new culture quarter around High Street West.
He said: “It’s absolutely clear that there is a clear cultural vision for Sunderland, including the new music, arts and culture quarter and the restoration of significant heritage sites like Hylton Castle and Roker Pier.”
Ms Elliott said Sunderland had a “long and proud history” but had suffered “body blows” as it lost its shipbuilding and mining industries.
The city was using arts and culture to reinvent itself, she said.
“After a decade of thinking and planning, the re-awakening of my home city has begun.”
She added: “Becoming city of culture would put us on the right path, enabling us to prosper and grow.”
And Sunderland’s bid was backed by the entire North East, she said.
“Even the old rivalries between Sunderland and Newcastle have been put to one side on this one.”
Sunderland is competing against Coventry, Paisley, Swansea and Stoke. The UK City of Culture title is designed to use culture for economic and social regeneration and to raise the profile of arts.
It helps cities develop a broader arts and culture sector, as well as attract investment and tourism.
Sunderland’s bid team has estimated that delivery of the 2021 programme would cost about £17.5 m.
The overall budget for the whole project would be around £107m.
This would include capital infrastructure developments worth £30m and a capacity and development of venue programme worth £14m.