Swindon celebrates UK City of Culture 2029 bid at Houses of Parliament

Hosted by South Swindon MP and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, the gathering brought together the businesses, cultural organisations, community groups and individuals who helped secure the town's place among the final nine contenders for the prestigious title.
The Jubilee Room was packed for the occasion, with guests travelling from Swindon to mark the town's achievement on a genuinely national stage. 
The atmosphere throughout the evening was one of real warmth and pride, as representatives from across Swindon's cultural and business communities - grassroots arts groups, independent artists, nationally recognised festivals, museums and venues - came together to reflect on how far the bid has come.
Swindon was longlisted for UK City of Culture 2029 in March, an achievement that put the town alongside Sheffield, Portsmouth, Blackpool and six other places vying for the honour, and secured £60,000 in Government funding to develop a full bid. 
That bid, built through the partnership between Swindon Borough Council and the Swindon Culture Collective, has now been submitted, drawing on contributions from across the town's cultural and business communities.
A shortlist announcement is expected later this autumn. Whatever the outcome, organisers of the London event said it was a fitting recognition of a genuine milestone for Swindon, and of the collaboration, ambition and creativity shown by an extraordinary range of partners.
Cllr Jim Robbins, the former Leader of Swindon Borough Council who set the bid in motion, said: "Last night was a brilliant celebration of everything Swindon has achieved, and I could not be prouder. 
"When we set out on this journey, the goal was to give Swindon the platform it deserves — to shine a light on the artists, the volunteers, the businesses and the community groups who make this town what it is. 
"Being longlisted was a fantastic achievement in its own right, and getting our full bid over the line is testament to the sheer hard work and belief that has gone into it from every corner of the town. 
"You could feel the positivity in that room last night — a genuine sense that Swindon is on the up — and I want to see that momentum carried forward. 
"Whatever happens with shortlisting, I would urge the current Leadership to keep backing this bid and the people behind it with the same energy and commitment. Swindon deserves it."
 

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