Stakeholders in Medway's bid to become the 2025 UK City of Culture are calling on businesses to get involved.

The team behind the plans have invited firms and organisations from across Kent to become a business ambassador.

Companies will be able to show their support by taking part in sector-specific conversations to develop how the Towns' bid will take shape.

Businesses which join the initiative will see benefits, including automatic access to the Medway Champions' Network which hosts industry-networking events.

Participants will also benefit from sponsorship and promotion opportunities.

Deborah Turner, Medway 2025 trustee, business owner and South East policy lead for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "We are calling on companies to seize the chance to be a part of a historic moment for the area.

"Winning this competition would bring the UK City of Culture title to the South East for the first time and will result in major growth across Medway.

"Becoming a business ambassador will allow organisations to demonstrate their commitment to social value and play an active role in Medway's bid."

Winning the bid could have a transformative effect on the area.

When Hull hosted in 2017, 95% of people living in the city attended at least one event – with a total of 5.3 million audience members throughout the year.

Becoming the UK City of Culture led to the creation of nearly 800 jobs.

Bid director Imogen Robertson described the plans as "Medway's equivalent to London's Olympic bid – a moment which will deliver long-lasting change, and not just to Medway, but across surrounding Kent."

The area will have to see off competition from Southampton, Lancashire and Bradford.

Coventry's year as the UK City of Culture began on May 15 and the winner for 2025 will be announced in 2022.

If you want to show your support, and back the bid as a business ambassador, visit the website.

www.medway2025.co.uk/business

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