City of Culture bids announced (From The Northern Echo)

Durham not to enter City of Culture contest

12:10am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News

ELEVEN places are to compete to become the UK’s next City of Culture, but the North-east will not be represented in the contest.

County Durham was widely expected to bid to host the title in 2017, but has decided not to take part in the competition.

Durham was considered a front-runner to be named City of Culture 2013 but its bid failed to even make the shortlist of four, losing out to eventual winner Derry.

Terry Collins, corporate director for neighbourhood services at Durham County Council, said: "Following careful consideration we took the decision not to bid to be City of Culture 2017 due to a number of changes to the criteria for the competition.

"However, we remain committed to supporting culture-based regeneration and we are proud to be once again hosting the Lumiere event and supporting the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to the region."

Communities bidding for the title in 2017 are Aberdeen, Chester, Dundee, East Kent, Hastings and Bexhill on Sea, Hull, Leicester, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Southampton, Southend on Sea, and Swansea Bay.

The shortlist of candidates will be announced in June.

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