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Founder, Natty’s Jerk
Natty is the founder of Natty’s Jerk, an award-winning Caribbean-inspired food business in the heart of Portsmouth. Through great food, warmth and community spirit, he brings a taste of the Caribbean to the city while creating a welcoming space for people to come together.
For Natty, Portsmouth is defined by its strong sense of belonging. The city’s distinct identity, shaped by its people, traditions, food and local pride, makes it unlike anywhere else. He supports the bid because it is an opportunity to give Portsmouth the recognition it deserves and encourage more people to experience what makes the city special.
Portsmouth in three words: Salt-of-the-earth (Natty gets an extra word!)
When he’s not serving up Caribbean flavours, you’ll often find Natty and his new puppy walking Portsmouth’s seafront on the new promenade.
Founder, Baked by Sweet Tooth
Luke Lovelace is the founder of Baked by Sweet Tooth, a Southsea-based micro-bakery known for its handcrafted bakes and growing presence across the city. Having returned to Portsmouth after time away, Luke has built his business on a passion for great food and a love for the city he proudly calls home.
For Luke, Portsmouth is a city full of character, independent businesses and hidden opportunities. He believes that being UK City of Culture 2029 would shine a spotlight on everything that makes Portsmouth special, helping more people discover the city while supporting local businesses to grow and thrive.
Portsmouth in three words:
Wow, good, innit
Luke thought his future was in London, but when the pandemic put those plans on hold, Portsmouth had other ideas. By staying in Pompey, he met his future wife and discovered that Portsmouth was exactly where he was meant to be. Love’s wow innit.
Founder, Love Southsea Market
Lulu Whitmore has spent nearly two decades creating markets and opportunities for local traders in Portsmouth. As the founder of Love Southsea Market, she has helped champion independent businesses, makers and entrepreneurs while creating vibrant community spaces that bring people together.
For Lulu, Portsmouth has spent years building a thriving culture of creativity, entrepreneurship and local pride. She believes being UK City of Culture 2029 would celebrate everything the city has achieved, create new opportunities for young people and businesses, and give Portsmouth the national recognition it deserves.
Portsmouth in three words: Beautiful. Resilient. Lucky.
Lulu and an entire pub serenaded Harry Redknapp after Portsmouth’s historic FA Cup victory! Watching the final from a packed Drift Bar, she phoned her friend Harry after the final whistle, and the whole pub joined in singing down the line to a chuffed Redknapp.
Visual Journalist, The News
Habibur Rahman helps bring Portsmouth’s stories to life through photography, video, podcasts and visual storytelling at The News. His work takes him across the city, meeting people from all walks of life and capturing the moments, voices and communities that make Portsmouth unique.
For Habib, Portsmouth is a city of stories, shaped by its diverse communities and rich mix of cultures. Through his work at The News, he sees every day how people from different backgrounds help make the city what it is. He believes being UK City of Culture 2029 would celebrate those stories, bring people together and showcase Portsmouth’s unique character to the rest of the country.
Portsmouth in three words: Passionate. Mush. Lovely.
Habid’s literally had a close call with none other than the late Queen Elizabeth II while photographing her on a royal visit to Portsmouth. Unsure of the correct protocol, he simply raised his camera and took a photo. Her Majesty smiled and replied: “You’re too close!” before walking on.
Creative Community Engagement Organisation
Seekers Create uses creativity to bring communities together, helping people of all ages, particularly young people, share their ideas, tell their stories and shape the future of Portsmouth. Through murals, pop-up activities and community projects, founders and directors Clair Martin and Steve Baker champion creativity as a way to connect people and celebrate local voices.
Seekers Create believes Portsmouth’s creativity is at its strongest in everyday moments and community-led experiences. They support the City of Culture 2029 bid because it will help uncover and nurture local talent, create opportunities for young people and empower residents to play a bigger role in shaping the city’s future
Portsmouth in three words: Trustworthy. Loyal. Proud.
Clair and Steve have their sights set on making Portsmouth the UK’s unofficial Doodle Capital, and they’re already planning a city-wide Doodle Fest to prove it.
Founder, SPARK Community Space
Becki Simmons is the founder of SPARK Community Space, a Portsmouth charity dedicated to helping people reconnect, rebuild confidence and “spark back into life”. Through a strong focus on wellbeing, belonging and community support, Spark creates welcoming spaces where people feel valued and empowered.
Becki believes Portsmouth stands out for its kindness, inclusivity and collaborative spirit. She is backing the bid because it offers a chance to celebrate the people and organisations that make the city thrive, while bringing new opportunities that can have a lasting positive impact across Portsmouth’s communities.
Portsmouth in three words: Kind. Courageous. Bloody fantastic.
Becki is a self-confessed lover of Pompey slang from “a bit of a scallywag” to “cushty mushty”; she proudly speaks fluent Pompey
Founder, Pauline Macarons
Originally from France, Pauline Genevet is the founder of Pauline Macarons, a Fratton-based business crafting handmade French macarons for wholesale customers, markets and events. Having called Pompey home for more than 15 years, she is a proud advocate for the city’s independent business community and creative spirit.
For Pauline, Portsmouth is a city that welcomes people from all backgrounds and gives them the opportunity to thrive. She believes being UK City of Culture 2029 would celebrate the city’s creativity, showcase its vibrant arts scene and help more people discover the talent, culture and character that make Portsmouth so special.
Portsmouth in three words: Seaside. Spinnaker. Dockyard.
French may be her first language, but Pauline has fully embraced Pompey slang. Her advice? “Hey, mush, don’t be too much of a dinlo!”
Chief Executive, Pompey in the Community
Clare Martin leads Pompey in the Community, Portsmouth Football Club’s official charity. Through programmes focused on health, education, inclusion and sport, she and her team use the power of football to create opportunities and make a positive difference across the city.
Clare sees culture as the thread that connects Portsmouth’s communities, whether through education, sport, heritage or local events. She is supporting the bid because it provides a platform to celebrate the city’s many stories, strengthen civic pride and inspire more people to engage with the place they call home.
Portsmouth in three words: Passionate. Community. People.
Having led countless tours of Fratton Park, Clare knows every corner of the stadium, including the spot where, long before smartphones and live score updates, carrier pigeons once delivered match reports from the press box to the local newsroom
Chief Operating Officer, Delivered Social | Portsmouth Ambassador Co-Lead | Express FM Presenter | Trustee for The Literacy Hub
Born and raised in Portsmouth, Terence Carvalho is a passionate advocate for the city and its communities. Alongside leading marketing agency Delivered Social, he supports Portsmouth through his ambassador work with Shaping Portsmouth and as a presenter on Express FM.
Terence believes Portsmouth’s greatest asset is its resilience and character. From its naval history to its independent spirit, he sees culture embedded across the city. He is backing the City of Culture 2029 bid because it has the power to attract investment, create opportunities and showcase Portsmouth’s creativity and ambition on a national stage.
Portsmouth in three words: Resilient. Determined. Proper.
Need a Portsmouth fact? Ask Terence. From Sherlock Holmes to Schwarzenegger, he’s full of stories that prove Portsmouth is sometimes stranger and more fascinating than fiction
Visual Artist
Roo Abrook is a Portsmouth-based visual artist whose work is rooted in the city’s creative community. Having lived and worked in Portsmouth for many years, Roo is passionate about supporting fellow artists and celebrating the creativity that can be found across the city.
For Roo, Portsmouth is bursting with creative talent. From visual artists and musicians to performers and makers, she believes the city is home to an incredible community of creatives whose work deserves to be seen and celebrated. Being UK City of Culture 2029 would create more opportunities for collaboration, raise the profile of local artists and inspire the next generation of creative talent.
Portsmouth in three words: Buildings. People. Sea.
One of Roo’s favourite Portsmouth tales is of a former Dockyard worker who used to cycle around the city with a monkey riding on the front of his bike. Strange, memorable and wonderfully Pompey.
