Portsmouth submits landmark UK City of Culture 2029 bid powered by local people

Portsmouth has officially submitted its bid to become UK City of Culture 2029, marking the culmination of one of the largest community engagement exercises undertaken in the city.

Under the campaign banner We Are Pompey 2029, the bid has been shaped by the voices, ideas, ambitions and creativity of local people. More than 12,000 people have made contributions that have helped inform the submission, creating a bid that reflects Portsmouth’s unique identity, heritage, communities and future aspirations. Consultation has taken place in every ward of the city, reaching early years to care homes.

Gemma Nichols, CEO of Portsmouth Creates said:

“This bid belongs to Portsmouth. Every conversation, workshop, event, survey response and creative idea has helped shape what we have submitted today.”

“The response has been overwhelming. It demonstrates the pride people have in Portsmouth and their belief that culture can play a powerful role in creating opportunity, strengthening communities and shaping the city’s future. Whatever happens next, the journey has already brought people together in remarkable ways, and we want to harness this moving forward.”

To mark this significant milestone, Portsmouth has also produced a special campaign film, Mission Pompey 2029, celebrating the moment the bid is submitted. This film brought together 125 local people from across the community, demonstrating the scale of public support behind the campaign. The action-packed short film starring Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Benit Ghosh follows an urgent mission to deliver Portsmouth’s bid, racing across the city and through Portsmouth Harbour before reaching its final destination.

Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said:

“Today is a proud moment for Portsmouth. The submission of our UK City of Culture 2029 bid represents the collective ambition, creativity and determination of our city.

Whatever the outcome, the journey has already shown what makes Pompey special. We are a city that backs itself, supports one another and rises to challenges together. I want to thank everyone who has played a part in getting us to this milestone. This is Portsmouth’s bid and Portsmouth should be immensely proud of it.”

The bid aims to deliver a largely free and accessible programme of cultural activity that reaches communities across Portsmouth, creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to take part. It builds on the city’s rich maritime heritage, diverse communities, creative talent and growing reputation as a place where culture is helping to drive regeneration, wellbeing and economic growth.