Teignmouth is bidding to become the UK’s first small Town of Culture.

Teignmouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce chair and town councillor Keith Underhill has registered an expression of interest with the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) this morning (February 11) after gaining the backing of Teignmouth Town Council yesterday evening (February 10).

The UK Town of Culture 2028 competition was launched by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy MP in October as part of the government’s ‘Plan for Change’ to drive economic growth and opportunity and restore pride in communities across the country.

Teignmouth’s Chamber of Trade will now work with organisations and businesses from around the town, including Teign Heritage Centre, Teignmouth Arts Action Group (TAAG), Teignmouth Arts Quarter, and other interested parties to develop the formal bid, which will be submitted at the end of March.

Councillor Underhill said the bidding process would ‘bring all facets of the community together and make Teignmouth a greater town’.

The competition has three categories: small town of culture, medium town of culture and large town of culture. Teignmouth, with a population of around 15,000, qualifies as a small town’.

‘Culture represents many facets: historical, arts, crafts, artists, all sorts of things,’ councillor Underhill said. ‘Teignmouth has a long history; maritime history, artistic history, heritage and so on,’ he added.

Once the bid has been submitted, the government will shortlist towns to go through to the next round of the competition in the spring. Shortlisted towns will be awarded a grant of £60,000 each to enable them to develop and strengthen their full application.

Towns will be judged: on their ‘unique story’; how the town will design a cultural programme for all; and how the town will deliver a successful programme.

‘UK Town of Culture asks what makes your town special? What makes its people proud to be there? And why should that be celebrated?’ explained UK Town of Culture Chair Sir Phil Redmond.

Three finalists - one small, one medium, one large town - will be announced early in 2027. The winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028 and receive a £3 million prize. The two runners-up will each receive £250,000 to deliver elements of their bid.

The Town of Culture competition is aimed at giving towns the chance to cash in on the benefits of the UK City of Culture competition. Participating towns will benefit from improved community spirit along with higher footfall in museums, galleries and at live performances, which will help support local businesses and jobs.

‘There is so much for us to be proud of in the towns we’re from – from the rich, local history to unique festivals and celebrations. They have shaped our national story for decades. Now it’s time to take centre stage and showcase the unique stories they have to tell,’ said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.