Sam Rowlands MS calls for support for North Wales bid for City of Culture 2029

SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is calling on the Welsh Government to back Wrexham in the upcoming bid for the next UK City of Culture.

Speaking in the Senedd Mr Rowlands, who strongly backed the city when it bid for the honour in 2022, said it would be fitting for Wrexham to receive this accolade.

He said: “It would be fitting for Wrexham to be the city of culture, which has the potential for being transformative for the city at creating jobs, at attracting investment and leaving a legacy for the future as well.

“First Minister, I’m really pleased to hear your support, in principle, at this point, for a bid from Wrexham, but, of course, there would be an ask for some specific investment support from the Welsh Government in particular around, infrastructure, and especially infrastructure that Welsh Government would have responsibility for.“

Mr Rowlands asked the First Minister if she could further commit to that bid from the city of culture Wrexham for that type of investment, so that we can see this bid succeed in the future.

Wrexham narrowly missed out to Bradford on becoming the UK City of Culture for 2025 and plans are already in the pipeline to bid for the title for 2029.

Mr Rowlands added: “They were so close to becoming UK City of Culture previously and I really do wish them all the best for 2029 and sincerely hope that Welsh Government will support their bid which will also help to tourism and the wider economy in Wrexham and North Wales.”

Whilst the formal bidding process for 2029 is yet to open, the new ‘Wrexham Community & Culture Trust’, has been established to put everything in place so that they can hit the ground running as soon as it does.

If you’d like to find out more about the journey so far, they are hosting a series of drop-in sessions in May at various locations across Wrexham County.

On Tuesday May 6 the drop-in sessions will be held from 9.30-11.30am – The Stiwt, Rhos; 1.30-3.30pm – Brymbo Enterprise Centre, Brymbo and 5.30-7.30pm – Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham City Centre.