Help shape Wirral’s two community led bids for UK Town of Culture 2028
Residents, community groups and local organisations are being encouraged to get involved in Wirral’s two Town of Culture bids, to ensure that each submission reflects the real experiences, ideas and cultural activity of the people who live, work and create in these towns.
Two community led bids for UK Town of Culture 2028 are being developed in the borough - one for New Brighton and one for Birkenhead.
The aim is simple: to make sure each bid reflects the town’s real identity, strengths, everyday cultural activity, needs and ambitions. To do that, residents and local groups are being invited to contribute ideas and take part in shaping what each town puts forward.
New Brighton’s bid is being led by the New Brighton Partnership, who are asking residents, businesses, community groups and visitors to share what they love about New Brighton, what makes it unique, and what they’d like to see happen in 2028.
A short online questionnaire is available for anyone connected with New Brighton to contribute their ideas on how to best tell New Brighton’s story on the national stage here: Love New Brighton
This input will help the Partnership understand what matters most to the community and what people would like the town to showcase in 2028.
Birkenhead’s bid is being led by The Left Bank Collective – made up of Future Yard, Make CIC, Joy / Open Door Charity, Start Yard and Make It Happen.
To help ensure that the ideas, insight and experience of the local people and organisations inform the bid, The Left Bank Collective is establishing a Birkenhead Culture Partnership: a network of stakeholders that will work collaboratively to shape Birkenhead’s Town of Culture submission.
Residents and anyone who contributes to Birkenhead’s cultural life - whether that’s through creativity, community work, business, volunteering or local projects – can feed initial thoughts to help inform the process here: Birkenhead Town of Culture Survey
The Town of Culture programme highlights communities as a key part of successful bids. Wirral’s approach reflects this - both bids are intentionally community driven, with the council acting only as the accountable body to support the process. Further opportunities to engage are planned by both community groups as the bids are developed ahead of the 31 March 2026 submission deadline.
Follow the New Brighton Partnership here: Love New Brighton on Facebook, New Brighton Partnership, Love New Brighton
Follow the Left Bank Collective here: Future Yard, Make CIC, Start Yard, Open Door Charity, Make It Happen
