Sunderland submits final 2021 City of Culture bid

Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

A campaign for Sunderland to become the UK’s City of Culture in 2021 has submitted its final bid.

Following a successful first bid, Sunderland is now one of five cities hoping to win a spot in the cultural spotlight in four years time. It’s hoped that a successful bid would bring an increase in investment, jobs, infrastructure and tourism to Wearside.

The successful city will also gain access to £3 million Heritage Lottery Fund Grant.

The city faces competition from four other cities for the prestigious title, but organisers are optimistic of taking the crown.

The other four towns and cities are:

  • Coventry

  • Swansea

  • Stoke-on-Trent

  • Paisley

The team behind the bid are encouraging the people of Sunderland to take to social media to show their support. They are asking the people of Sunderland to post "Ha’way #Sunderland2021 #UKCityofCulture @DCMS”, along with a photo of Sunderland or themselves, as part of a ‘thunderclap’ to help the bid gain momentum online.

City of Sunderland. Credit: ITV News Tyne Tees

Flags emblazoned with the bids logo are being raised at venues across the city, including the Stadium of Light and Nissan’s Wearside plant. They acknowledge the city’s shipbuilding heritage as well as the sailor Jack Crawford, who defiantly ‘nailed the colours to the mast’ of his ship after the admiral’s flag was knocked down during the Battle of Camperdown in 1797.

Famous landmarks including the Penshaw Monument and Ryhope Engine Museum will be illuminated with the colours of the rainbow in support of the bid.

Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport describes the scheme as ‘a chance to use arts and culture as a catalyst for a city’s economic and social regeneration’.