The council has announced that Chesterfield will be bidding to be the first town of culture in the UK.

The UK Town of Culture competition, which was introduced by the government earlier this year, provides the winning town with a funding package of 3m to host a programme of events in 2028.

Chesterfield Borough Council announced it was submitting a bid with the Chesterfield Town Board because the competition provided the town with a chance to get new visitors to explore the cultural merits of the borough.

This follows the announcement by towns around Derbyshire, such as Bolsover, Belper, Matlock, Wirksworth, Clay Cross and Buxton, who said they were looking into it or had already lodged an expression of interest (EOI) in the scheme.

‘Restoring pride’

According to Council leader Tricia Gilby, “Chesterfield is a town with a rich history and a bright future. Growth in our cultural offering is on the increase each year, with the passion and creativity of our communities.”

“Participating in the UK Town of Culture competition is an opportunity to place a national spotlight on all that is so great about Chesterfield, and leave a legacy that will be felt by residents, businesses, and visitors alike.”

UK towns are being encouraged to submit an EOI, with the best towns shortlisted, and each shortlisted town will be provided with a funding pool of £60,000 in support of its final bid.

An expert panel will then pick three finalists, and in addition to the main prize, the two runners-up will get to award an element of their bid, each worth a total of 250,000.

The scheme was introduced as part of the campaign to “get pride back in communities,” and applicants are urged to demonstrate their “special stories,” the government said.

EOIs are due by 31 March, and a shortlist should be announced soon, and a winner by early 2027.