Richmond’s bid to become the UK Town of Culture has received a double boost with a mention in the House of Commons and the backing of a neighbouring town.
Richmond and Northallerton MP Rishi Sunak praised the town’s campaign to win the national competition while speaking in Parliament this week.
Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company (CIC) is preparing an expression of interest for the government contest, which must be submitted by March 27.
The MP said: “North Yorkshire is home to brilliant cultural assets like the Richmond Castle, Georgian Theatre, The Station and the Green Howards Museum.
“It has a unique place in our national story with a history stretching back to Norman times and a history of successfully putting on community events like Mayfest.
“Mr Speaker, this gateway to the Dales is the UK’s most copied place name, the original Richmond with 100 across the world from America to India.
“Can I ask the Secretary of State to join me in congratulating Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company, who are putting a great bid together to be the UK’s Town of Culture?”
In reply, Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, thanked the MP championing Richmond’s Town of Culture bid.
She added: “I’ve been following with interest the work that the Community Interest Company is doing there. They’ve brought together an incredible group of people and gathered huge public support for the bid.
“And the question that the Mayor of Richmond asked recently was ‘why not Richmond?’. I would absolutely concur with those remarks and encourage them to continue.”
David Walker, a director of the CIC, described the statements as “a fantastic endorsement of CIC and the bid”.
The comments came as neighbouring town Northallerton announced it was backing Richmond’s bid.
In a letter to Marcia McLuckie who leads the bid team, Northallerton’s town clerk said: “Richmond is a town of considerable cultural distinction and historic significance, and the council recognises the positive and lasting benefits a successful bid would deliver for both Richmond and the wider North Yorkshire area.
“Council members gave careful consideration to submitting a bid of their own, but after detailed discussion, they decided that the most constructive and strategic course of action would be to support Richmond’s application, thereby strengthening the region’s collective cultural offer.”
Mrs McLuckie has thanked Northallerton Town Council for their support.
She said: “It’s most generous of Northallerton’s councillors to offer assistance. Our bid is well underway but still needs a lot of work to have it ready for submission by the end of March.”
If the town is shortlisted, it will receive a grant of £60,000 to prepare a full application.
Winners will be chosen in three categories for large, medium and small towns, which Richmond is entering.
The overall winner will receive £3m to stage a festival in the summer of 2028, with two runners-up grants available of £250,000 each.
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