Cost for city council of a year of celebrations would be £10m

Sheffield is making its bid to become UK City of Culture 2029 with the slogan ‘Grassroots to Global’.

The city, which learned it had made the shortlist for the accolade last month alongside Blackpool, Milton Keynes and Wrexham, is now planning the details of its bid.

The successful city will have to put up £10 million to help pay for a year of events but the total budget is likely to be around £42m, to be covered by a mixture of government and private funding.

Sheffield City Council’s key strategy and resources committee will be asked to approve the £10m figure at its meeting next Wednesday (November 11).

An expert panel will visit the city in early December to judge whether Sheffield understands the scale of delivering a year-long national programme of exciting events and is prepared to take the lead on the project.

Tramlines is South Yorkshire's biggest annual music event.

placeholder image — Tramlines is South Yorkshire's biggest annual music event.

The aim is to tell the city’s story and reach into every neighbourhood.

A report to the committee says: “Sheffield’s proposition is ‘Grassroots to Global’. It is founded on the city’s identity as a place of makers, innovators, music, film, theatre, sport, heritage, sanctuary, outdoor life and community-led creativity.

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“The bid theme emerged after extensive consultation and engagement, including contributions from 1,400 residents.

“The bid is not an attempt to invent a new identity; it is designed to give Sheffield’s existing strengths the platform, investment and recognition needed to achieve their full potential, supported by greater UK and global recognition.

“UK City of Culture is the opportunity to connect, amplify and accelerate activity – taking us from Grassroots to Global.”