Market Harborough launches bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028

Market Harborough has officially launched its bid to become the UK Town of Culture 2028, with Harborough District Council leading a powerful partnership of local businesses, arts organisations and community groups.

The town will submit an expression of interest to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, marking a major step in celebrating Market Harborough’s distinctive identity and strengthening pride across the community.

The UK Town of Culture competition showcases the creativity, heritage and cultural ambition of towns across the country. Up to three finalists will be shortlisted, with the winning town awarded £3 million to deliver a landmark cultural programme and two runners-up each receiving £250,000.

Market Harborough’s bid, titled The Grand Union, draws on more than 800 years of history as a meeting place at the heart of the Midlands. From its medieval markets to the transformative arrival of the Grand Union Canal, and its role in shaping modern tourism, the town has long been defined by exchange, connection and a spirit of welcome.

Rather than focusing on urban deprivation, the bid positions Market Harborough as a high-quality testbed for how culture-led regeneration can succeed in rural market towns. It aims to demonstrate how investment in culture can unlock opportunity, strengthen local economies and enhance wellbeing in communities often overlooked in national strategies.

At its core, the programme responds to two pressing challenges: rural isolation among older residents and the loss of young people seeking opportunities elsewhere. Through a year-long cultural programme, the bid will prioritise:

• Year-round cultural events and spectacle
• Youth empowerment, skills and career pathways
• Innovation across digital and heritage sectors
• Inclusive access to culture for all
• Amplifying community voices

Cllr Jo Asher, Cabinet Lead for Culture, Leisure, Economy and Tourism, said: “Market Harborough is a town with incredibly strong foundations. But to secure a vibrant future for our young people and build stronger connections across generations, we need a catalyst.

“The Grand Union is exactly that. This is not a top-down initiative. It’s a partnership-driven vision. We are ready to show what a market town can achieve when culture and commerce work hand in hand.”

The bid is being developed through a cross-sector partnership including Creative Harborough, Harbs Collective, the Market Harborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Leicestershire County Council’s museum and libraries service and the Canal & River Trust.

Claire Webb, Creative Harborough, said: “A Town of Culture designation would be a powerful opportunity for Harborough to celebrate its unique identity while strengthening community.

"Building on the strong foundations of the Creative Harborough Network, it represents a tangible opportunity to support grassroots initiatives on a larger stage, attracting visitors and investment, aswell as inspire new talent and create lasting cultural infrastructure.

"Ultimately, it would position Harborough as a vibrant, forward-looking town where creativity is at the heart of everyday life.”

An expression of interest will be submitted ahead of the 31 March 2026 deadline.