A public meeting in Lymm has sparked strong community backing for exploring a bid to become a UK Town of Culture, with residents turning out to share ideas, energy, and support for a community-led approach- with a top prize of £3m up for grabs.
The meeting revealed real enthusiasm for using the bid to bring Lymm together, build on its existing cultural strengths, and create new opportunities — particularly by involving younger people and ensuring their ideas and priorities help shape any future plans.
Following the meeting, it was agreed that a working group will now be formed to develop an initial Expression of Interest for the UK Town of Culture 2028 competition. The group will be independent and community-led, bringing together residents, creatives, and local organisations.
Cllr Sally Sharma, Chair of Lymm Parish Council, said: “The response from the community has been incredibly encouraging. What stood out was the creativity in the room and the strong desire to build something that reflects Lymm’s identity, culture, and sense of community. There was also a clear message about involving the next generation and making sure young people’s voices are part of the story from the very start.”
Cllr. Colin Oakley said:“This meeting showed just how much energy and pride there is in Lymm. A UK Town of Culture bid has the potential to bring people together around a shared vision, and the strength of any bid will come from the community itself. It’s really positive to see people stepping forward to help take this idea on.”
Cllr. Graham Gowland added: “The buzz in the room was fantastic. People brought forward a huge range of thoughtful, creative ideas, and there was a real sense of excitement about what Lymm could achieve by working together. It showed just how much talent and enthusiasm already exists in the community.”
The UK Town of Culture programme supports places across the country to celebrate their identity, strengthen community pride, and develop a shared cultural vision with lasting benefits. Any bid from Lymm would focus on showcasing what already makes the community special, while creating space for new ideas and wider participation.
Organisers have stressed that the bid does not involve any change to Lymm’s legal status or governance, and that there is no practical distinction between a town or a village within the competition.
Further details about the working group and next steps will be shared in due course.
