Bootle’s bid to become Town of Culture 2028 took a big step forward as local people came together for a community workshop at Bootle Town Hall.

The event was well attended, made up of local residents, community organisations, local businesses, senior Council staff and local creatives. The energy in the room reflected a strong desire from local people to shape the town’s cultural future.

Celebrating and investing in the creativity, heritage and identity of towns

Run by the Government’s Department of Media Culture and Sport (DCMS) the UK Town of Culture has been created to celebrate and invest in the creativity, heritage and identity of towns across the UK.

Towns like Bootle that are taking part will have the chance to showcase their story and deliver a year of cultural activity. The winning town will receive funding to run a major cultural programme during 2028.

What makes Bootle unique 

During Wednesday evening’s session, people explored what makes Bootle unique, how its identity could be celebrated nationally, and how culture could strengthen health, wellbeing and opportunities for young people, especially around creativity and digital skills.

Participants at the Council-organised session also talked about ways to bring local spaces, such as Bootle’s parks and Canalside, to life through arts, festivals and events. And they discussed the creation of a lively cultural programme to both attract visitors to Bootle and help local people feel even more proud of their town.

Cllr Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said:
“Bootle’s greatest strength is its people. This workshop showed just how much creativity, talent and pride there is in our community. The ideas shared will help shape our plans for Town of Culture 2028 and make sure they reflect what matters most to residents.”

Ali Horton, CEO of Gateway Collective, Bootle, said:

‘I really enjoyed being part of the Town of culture event.  It was great to be involved in something from the beginning, and I loved the energy and positivity in the room.’

Carl Hunter, Bass guitarist in The Farm, Educator, Film and TV director, said:

“Bootle is a town that makes culture. From music and film to art, education and world-class sport, its creativity grows from lived experience, shaped by the docks, migration, labour and a strong sense of community. For too long, places like Bootle have been described through the language of deficit rather than the language of creativity and production. The Town of Culture bid is a chance to change that narrative and share Bootle’s talent, resilience and stories with the world.  I grew up in Bootle, and it formed who I am. From the Art in Action photography project to going on to art school, the music industry and the film and TV industry, those early experiences showed me that creativity lives in this community. Bootle doesn’t just have culture; it makes it and this needs to be shared with the world.’

Francis Doran, Lead Singer of Red Rum Club said:

‘It’s a privilege to be involved in such an exciting and ambitious project. The town of culture bid will be massively beneficial for local people and the area. It’ll be a celebration of the town’s past, present and potential future. I know the people, organisations and council are all pushing in the same direction to produce a creative, inspiring and fruitful programme which will be everyone in the town and wider communities.’

Next steps for Town of Culture 

Sefton Council is continuing to speak to local groups including Sefton’s Cultural Strategy Partnership, Sefton’s Faith Forum, Sefton’s Performer’s Network and the Bootle Strand School Association to gather even more feedback.

All of this input will help form Bootle’s official submission for Town of Culture 2028. The aim is to showcase the town’s resilience, creativity and community spirit, celebrate local talent, get more people involved in cultural activities and strengthen pride in the area.