Councillors agree to study Canterbury UK City of Culture bid
Published: 20:25, 07 February 2018
Councillors in Canterbury have unanimously agreed to look at the feasibility of a bid to become UK's City of Culture in 2025.
It comes following a meeting of the policy and resources committee tonight.
The coveted title would bring economic and cultural benefits to the recipient, but also involve significant time and costs making the application.
Canterbury previously lost out to Hull as part of an east Kent-wide entry for 2017.
It follows a proposal lodged by Labour councillors Simon Warley and Alan Baldock calling on the council to develop further cultural opportunities in preparation to make a "credible and attractive" bid for 2025.
A 12-page report examining a potential bid said: "Making a bid to be UK City of Culture presents clear opportunities for Canterbury and east Kent and evidence from previous bids suggests there are benefits to be gained whether we win or lose.
"No commitment is required at this stage, but if the council is interested in exploring this opportunity, now is the time to undertake some feasibility work, including testing the interest of the Kent Cultural Transition Board and other potential bidding partners."
The council has until 2019/20 to decide whether to bid.
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KentOnline reporter