Support grows for Crewe ‘UK Town of Culture’

Crewe’s bid to become the country’s first Town of Culture has attracted high-profile  support as the campaign gathers momentum.

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.

The winning town will receive £3 million, while two finalists will each receive £250,000 to deliver an ambitious programme of cultural activity in 2028.

Dubbed Change@Crewe, the bid campaign is led 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.

Here’s what they have to say:

Arts Council Place Partnership Project – CreweCreates CIC

“Crewe has a powerful cultural story, rooted in its heritage, shaped by its communities, and alive in its creativity today. Applying for Town of Culture is about recognising that strength and building on it together” – Novae Baghurst, Director, CreweCreates CIC.

Crewe Heritage Trust

“Crewe has always been a town built on innovation, industry, and community spirit. Crewe Heritage Centre proudly celebrates the town’s rich history as a railway hub and its vital role in shaping transport and engineering across the UK. Today, as the Centre undergoes an exciting transformation to become Crewe’s museum and a destination visitor attraction, we are committed to showcasing the town’s remarkable heritage alongside its vibrant arts and cultural diversity. Becoming Town of Culture would not only honour Crewe’s past but also drive its future—creating opportunities for creativity, inclusivity, and community engagement that will inspire generations to come” – Gordon Heddon, Chair, Crewe Heritage Trust

Crewe & Nantwich MP – Connor Naismith

“I fully support Crewe’s bid for UK Town of Culture in 2026. Take one look at the Lyceum Square, where community events like Crewe Pride, the Science Spectacular and Crewe Day Festival all took place last year and it’s clear we are a strong contender. That’s before we even mention the Lyceum Theatre, one of the longest standing cultural institutions in our town, which regularly hosts community theatre events as well as touring national shows.

“In the charitable space, organisations like CreweCreates are doing brilliant work to make cultural activities accessible to everyone, putting on artist-led creative workshops right in our town centre.

“I know this bid represents a huge collaborative effort between numerous partners, including Cheshire East Council, Crewe Town Council, the Library and Archives, the Lyceum Theatre, CreweCreates and even the NHS and I am extremely proud that so many organisations are supporting our area to get the recognition it deserves as a cultural hub.”

South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce

“Crewe’s bid to become the UK’s first Town of Culture is about far more than arts and events, it’s about confidence, pride and opportunity. Culture plays a vital role in economic growth, helping to attract investment, talent and visitors while strengthening local identity and community cohesion.

“For businesses, this is a chance to be part of a positive national story about Crewe, one that recognises our heritage, supports our creative industries, and inspires future generations. The Chamber is proud to support this bid and the collaborative ambition behind it” – Chamber CEO, Paul Colman

Crewe Town Council

“Crewe is a town with a proud past and an exciting future. We are committed to putting culture at the heart of our community, as our application for Town of Culture status clearly demonstrates, and this process will create exciting opportunities for residents and visitors alike”- Town Council leader, Cllr Jill Rhodes.

Chair of the Events and Culture Committee, Cllr Martin Edwards, added:

“Crewe is a vibrant and diverse town that has grown from its roots as a unique railway colony that brought people together from all over the UK and sent trains around the world. As the ‘Voice For Crewe’, we look forward to showcasing the cultural stories of our residents and celebrating our diverse community on a national platform.”

The campaign group hopes the whole of Crewe will get behind the bid – including businesses.

A spokesman said: “For businesses, supporting the bid means increased profile as national media coverage grows, stronger local visibility, and being seen as champions of the community your staff and customers care about. As the bid progresses, partners will benefit from promotion across events, campaigns and platforms, helping raise awareness, pride and confidence in Crewe as a place to live, work and visit.

“There are many ways to get involved, from sponsorship to sharing stories, skills or space and we’re keen to work with businesses to find what feels right for them. This is about working together to back Crewe, boost footfall and engagement where relevant, and create a positive legacy that goes well beyond a single year.”

Want to get involved? Email change@crewecreates.com

For more on the Town of Culture competition go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-town-of-culture-2028-expression-of-interest/uk-town-of-culture-2028-expression-of-interest-guidance-for-bidders

Pics –

Filipino cultural festival Crewe Barrio Fiesta at Queens Park and Crewe Day in the town centre were a riot of colour drawing thousands of visitors last summer