Bradford has been announced as UK City of Culture 2025 by Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.

Dorries made the announcement on BBC’s The One Show from Coventry, a past City of Culture winner.

Bradford beat finalists County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough to the title, securing the title and £275,000 to put into a year of cultural activities.

For the first time, the three finalists will be awarded £125,000.

The four finalists were whittled down from a record twenty initial bids to eight outstanding longlist applications which also included Cornwall, Derby, Stirling and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.

Four areas shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2025

The unsuccessful areas are each to receive detailed feedback on their bids. DCMS said Ministers and officials will also engage with them on how best they can maintain momentum and realise their ambitions in the future.

Dorries said in a statement: “The UK City of Culture competition is a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on the contribution that art and culture make to all our lives.

“This title has been hotly contested and I’ve been hugely impressed by the quality of all four shortlisted bids from Bradford, County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough.”

Speaking on The One Show, she added: “Everybody has worked exceptionally hard. The standard was phenomenal. ”

Bradford’s museums and heritages sites include the National Science and Media Museum, Bradford Industrial Museum, Salts Mill, The Peace Museum, and Cartwright Hall.

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