Pompey businesses pledge to back UK City of Culture 2029 bid
Ten Portsmouth businesses have become the first to make the Proper Pompey Pledge, backing the city’s campaign to become UK City of Culture 2029.
Led by We Are Pompey; the initiative invites organisations across Portsmouth to make a formal commitment to the bid and support its ambition to develop and deliver an accessible and inclusive cultural programme for the city.
The first businesses to sign up are: Citrus FM, Mountjoy, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Hampshire Flag Company Ltd, Serra’s Brazilian Foods, Seed Wellbeing, Comserv (UK) Ltd, Ashbys Southsea Ltd, Rachel Lowe Games & Puzzles and Bailando with Sally.
These businesses join partners University of Portsmouth, Victorious Festival, Portsmouth City Council, Delivered Social and Danger Danger to back Portsmouth’s bid. Their collective backing will strengthen Portsmouth’s application by showing the Government and potential funders that the city’s ambitions have firm support from its local business community.
Hannah Murray, founder of Seed Wellbeing, said:
“We are Pompey through and through. Our organisation grew in Portsmouth, our team is from Portsmouth, and we support hundreds of Pompey people every year.
We can see how incredible becoming UK City of Culture could be for the city and everyone who lives here. Collaboration is at the heart of Seed Wellbeing, and that is exactly what this pledge is about.
This is our opportunity to give something back and say thank you for the many opportunities we have had to work with projects, businesses and schools across Portsmouth.”
Support secured through the pledge could help pilot cultural and entrepreneurial skills programmes for young people, including work designed to address the rise in the number of young people not in education, employment or training.
It could also help bring activities to communities that have not traditionally considered themselves cultural or creative spaces, while making Portsmouth’s programme as inclusive as possible through free events and additional support for people facing barriers to participation.
Simon Ingram, Managing Director of Mountjoy, said:
“At Mountjoy, we are always looking for ways to enhance people’s lives in the communities where we work, live and play.
We work across the South of England and have proudly flown the flag for Pompey for many years. Creating social value is not something we do simply because we have to. It is at the heart of every decision we make as we invest with integrity in the next generation.
Portsmouth becoming UK City of Culture would give us an incredible opportunity to build on this work, and we are delighted to make the pledge and help make it possible for Pompey.”
Gemma Nichols, Chief Executive Officer of Portsmouth Creates, which is leading the bid, added:
“The momentum behind Portsmouth’s bid has been incredible, and our local business community has an important part to play in building on it.
We want to create a programme that brings pride to the city, encourages people to get involved, makes art and culture more accessible and inspires residents and visitors to explore different parts of Portsmouth.
The support of local businesses will help us meet our ambition of delivering a programme of events that is mostly free for communities across Portsmouth, ensuring as many people as possible can take part.
Becoming a Proper Pompey Pledger is a meaningful way for businesses to get behind that ambition. Their commitment will also give the Government and potential funders confidence that investment in Portsmouth can be a catalyst for lasting change, backed by the people and organisations that know the city best.
We are incredibly grateful to the first 10 businesses that have made the pledge and would love to see many more join them.”
Portsmouth is one of nine places on the longlist for UK City of Culture 2029.A shortlist is expected to be announced in autumn 2026, followed by visits and presentations to the competition’s expert advisory panel. The winner is expected to be announced January 2027.
