Welsh whisky giant Penderyn Distillery has joined the bid by Conwy County to become UK City of Culture 2025.
The distiller, which recently opened a distillery and visitor centre in Llandudno, has become the commercial partner to the early stages of the bid as Conwy looks to win-over the competition’s panel of judges.
Areas, cities or communities can now bid for the four-yearly honour, currently held by Coventry and Conwy County Borough Council announced it would bid last month.
The bid is proposing a "radical cultural programme" that will be community-based and authentically Welsh.
Penderyn CEO Stephen Davies said: “To win Penderyn would stand by Conwy County as partners with the people, organisations and businesses working to create exceptional cultural events and activities throughout 2025."
As well as being based in the county he said Penderyn is also "supported by thousands of loyal fans from Conwy".
They are ready to hand over their distillery in Llandudno for use in Conwy 2025 and said they are "already embedded in Conwy’s cultural offer" as they use local Conwy resources to produce their whisky in North Wales.
Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, leader of Conwy County Borough Council, said: “Conwy 2025 will be the adventure of a lifetime.
"The county already has an unrivalled reputation for delivering world class events and being a world class destination.
"Having the backing of a world class brand like Penderyn can only strengthen our bid and we are really pleased to have them on board as our commercial partner at the expression of interest stage.
“We believe that bidding for the prestigious status as UK City of Culture 2025 is a tremendous opportunity for which we are ready to deliver, as we prepare to launch a new Culture Strategy for the county."
