Bury St Edmunds Makes Bid to Become UK's Town of Culture 2028!

Bury St Edmunds is setting its sights on becoming the UK’s Town of Culture, as it prepares a bid for the Government’s 2028 competition.

The national contest will see towns compete across small, medium and large categories, with one overall winner awarded the title. That town will receive £3 million to deliver a year-long cultural programme in 2028, while two runners-up in each category will each receive £250,000.

A recent community event in Bury St Edmunds marked a key step in shaping the town’s bid. Organised by Martyn Taylor, chairman of The Bury Society, and Sarah Williams of Castleview Charitable Services, the session brought residents together to share their ideas.

Participants were invited to contribute suggestions on sticky notes, organised by month and themed around key aspects of local life, including history, nature, music, and food and drink.

Ideas reflected the town’s strong community spirit and heritage, ranging from workshops and art trails to festivals and inclusive community programmes. These contributions will help shape Bury St Edmunds’ expression of interest which is due in on March 31 and any final bid submission.

In a statement, the Town of Culture Steering Committee highlighted what makes Bury St Edmunds special, describing it as “a wonderfully vibrant town with a rich cultural heritage and a unique story that deserves to be shared with everyone living here.”

They also emphasised a commitment to making arts and culture accessible to all, aiming to break down barriers and widen participation across the community.

Organisers said the event was a success, reflecting the enthusiasm and creativity of local residents.

The Town of Culture 2028 competition will now move through several stages, with an initial shortlist expected this spring. Shortlisted towns will each receive £60,000 to develop detailed applications covering programming, partnerships and funding, with up to five months to complete them.

In the final stage, shortlisted locations—including, organisers hope, Bury St Edmunds—will host visits from an expert panel and present their vision, before the overall winner is announced in early 2027.