EXCLUSIVE: Big names drive Crewe’s bid to become UK Town of Culture

Crewe is bidding to become the UK’s first ‘Town of Culture’ with a £3.5m boost for the town firmly in its sights.

The UK Town of Culture is a new competition launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to shine a spotlight on the important roles towns, like Crewe, play in national life.

A special consortium made up of high-profile local organisations is supporting Crewe’s bid to win the status and £3.5m to deliver a cultural programme in the summer of 2028.

Shortlisted towns will receive £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition.

The bid is steered by the Crewe Cultural Consortium and CreweCreates CIC, a well-established partnership including Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Crewe Town Council, Cheshire East Council, Crewe Heritage Trust, Cheshire Archives, Crewe Library, UTC, Cheshire College South & West, Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity, Discover Crewe and South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce.

Dubbed Change@Crewe, the campaign will focus on a town shaped by its history, driven by innovation and powered by its people.

The partnership previously worked together to develop a successful Arts Council England Place Partnership project, deliver Crewe’s first MakerFest – Crewe//Makes 2025, and set up the first town centre artspace Crewe//Makes: Artspace, now grown into the Platform Gallery occupying the former Dorothy Perkins/Burton shop.

A spokesperson said: “If Crewe is successful, the £3.5 million investment would support a wide-ranging cultural programme across the town, from events and exhibitions to skills development, volunteering opportunities and projects involving local businesses and communities.

“It could also help improve venues and spaces in the town, support the Town of Culture programme in 2028 and create lasting benefits for Crewe beyond the year.

“The programme would also leave a lasting legacy through training opportunities, creative wellbeing projects and skills development, meaning the impact would continue well beyond the delivery year.

“Even if Crewe is not selected, the process itself will be hugely positive. We will have refreshed and strengthened our cultural vision, worked closer than ever as a town, and raised the profile of Crewe nationally.”

More information on how the competition will work will be announced soon.

Meanwhile everyone is asked to get behind the bid.

The spokesperson added: “We want businesses, community groups, volunteers and local people to be part of this journey. Whether through sponsorship, volunteering, sharing your story or getting involved in events and projects, there will be opportunities for everyone to contribute.

“Crewe is ready for this because culture has been building here for years, rooted in a strong heritage and a story of making, innovation and movement.

“From Crewe Lyceum Theatre to outdoor events such as the Crewe Day Festival, and celebrations including Diwali and Pride, the town already has a rich programme of creative and cultural activity.

“Crewe Heritage Centre sits on the site where the town began, and the development of the Cheshire Archives will be another major step in protecting and sharing Crewe’s stories.

“This really feels like a springboard moment, the foundations are already here, and we’re ready to take the town to the next level.”

One Crewe will support with regular updates. Want to get involved in the campaign?

Email change@crewecreates.com