Dumfries and Galloway could form part of City of Culture in "truly unique" bid

A “truly unique” bid that would make Dumfries and Galloway part of the UK’s City of Culture is going ahead.

South of Scotland Enterprise and Borderlands Partnership have been working on plans to win the accolade for the region in 2025.

And they have taken the next step by submitting an expression of interest, with a successful bid potentially bringing hundreds of millions of pounds to the region.

The competition is open to groups of towns and places which can join forces to apply for the title to be awarded to their local area.

The Borderlands bid would see the honour bestowed on Dumfries and Galloway Council as well as the local authorities for Scottish Borders, Carlisle City, Cumbria and Northumberland.

South of Scotland Enterprise chairman Professor Russel Griggs said: “This truly is a unique UK City of Culture bid and one all partners involved in it believe is worth progressing.

“A successful bid can have a transformational impact for a city or region.

“By combining the efforts of the Borderlands partners, our bid now has the creative and cultural talent of five areas, providing a significant and varied offering which we believe is worth telling across the country, and beyond.

“Coupled with our natural landscape, our people, our heritage and our joint journey to net zero, we believe the Borderlands is the right place at the right time to take forward this exciting opportunity for our region.”

This year’s UK City of Culture is Coventry and it is predicted to see an economic boost of more than £200 million thanks to an additional 2.5 million visitors, creating more than 900 jobs in the process.

The region’s bid is seen as tying in with some of the themes of the Borderlands Inclusive Grow deal.

Highlighting the Borderland’s heritage, cultural and recreational assets to promote it as a place to visit, live and work meets the Improving Places Theme.

And showing off the area’s green credentials and efforts to create jobs supporting low carbon energy generation schemes as well as carbon reduction projects ticks the Encouraging Green Growth box.

Dumfries and Galloway Council leader and Borderlands Partnership co-chair Elaine Murray said: “This would be a natural fit with the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal which has a focus on economic growth through the development of place including the distinctive cultures of our towns.”

Monday was the deadline for expressions of interest in bids. Up to six shortlisted locations will be announced in September.

Their bids will have to be submitted by January with the successful area announced in May.