Last night saw the announcement of the winner of the City of Culture for 2025. And we’re delighted to report that the winner is the City that has been PFG’s home since 1880 – Bradford. This is fantastic news for the City and for the many people live and work across the district. In light of the role that Bradford has played in our company’s long history, and to underline our commitment to the City and wider district, we have pledged to be a partner in Bradford’s City of Culture Programme – a four year partnership which will see us provide support to the programme from 2023 in the run up to 2025, and ensure that it leaves a legacy in 2026.
The overall aim of the UK City of Culture programme is to encourage the use of culture and creativity as a catalyst for regeneration, promote the development of new partnerships, encourage ambition, innovation and inspiration in cultural and creative activity.
“I’m delighted that Bradford’s bid to be the City of Culture in 2025 has been successful. The impact that being the City of Culture 2025 winner will have on the district cannot be underestimated, in terms of driving inward investment, boosting local economic growth and delivering lasting a social and cultural legacy, particularly for the District’s young people.” Malcolm Le May, CEO, PFG
PFG has a strong track record of partnership with education, skills and third sector partners across the Bradford district, which has been delivered through our long-standing Social Impact Programme; and which links to PFG’s purpose to put people on a path to a better everyday life.
Wherever possible, PFG will seek to connect our existing partners to any appropriate opportunities the City of Culture 2025 designation brings.
As winner of the City of Culture 2025, Bradford has had to demonstrate its vision for UK City of Culture and how Bradford will use it in making a step change in their area and creating a lasting legacy.
To win, Bradford has had to:
- Deliver a high quality cultural programme that builds and expands on local strengths and assets and reaches a wide variety of audiences over the course
- Deliver a programme that uses culture and creativity to lead to lasting social regeneration through building engagement, widening participation, supporting cultural diversity and cohesion, contributing to the localism agenda and reaching out to sectors of the community who are disenfranchised and isolated;
- Create a demonstrable economic impact from the programme, through investment and innovation in culture and creativity;
- Demonstrate a clear approach to maximising the legacy and evaluating the impacts from being UK City of Culture;
- Present realistic and credible plans for managing, funding and delivering the programme and its legacy.
“We’re so pleased to have been part of this successful bid, and even more proud to be able to support the City of Culture 2025 team to bring to life an exciting programme of events and cultural celebration across the city for 2025 and beyond.” Malcolm Le May, CEO, PFG