Government’s new £3.5m Town of Culture competition is the chance to put Bishop’s Stortford’s name up in lights
A UK town could win £3.5 million to deliver a cultural programme during the summer of 2028 through a competition launched by the Government.
The Town of Culture contest will be targeted at small and medium-sized towns, with short-listed towns receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition.
Here, Dr Graeme P Smith, a member of the Friends of Water Lane Hall group, makes the case for Bishop’s Stortford to throw its hat into the ring...
“There’s £3.5 million up for grabs to deliver a cultural programme in summer 2028 through the Government’s Town of Culture competition. I think Stortford is perfectly positioned to win.
“Before you start laughing, remember that this prize is designed to revitalise towns like ours that have little cultural activity.
“Much as I love living here, our town centre, part of it choked with empty retail units, feels like a cultural desert. We have South Mill Arts inconveniently down the road, but our town centre has few regular cultural events and nowhere to hold them.
“Let’s use this opportunity to go big. Let’s create a permanent cultural asset for the next two or three generations: a renovated culture and arts hub in our town centre.
“Fast-forward to 2028: Imagine a summer of vibrant, inclusive cultural events flowing from South Mill Arts, from our community centres to the new town square, culminating in a revitalised Water Lane Hall as the central hub.
“Picture exhibitions, performances and workshops spilling out into summer activities across Sworder’s Field and around the Waytemore Castle mound.
“We could maybe even integrate unique art installations into the Old River Lane site, such as a viewing platform, huge art works on hoardings. And why not?
“Let me tell you about my town. A 2022 survey found 76% of residents desperately want more inclusive cultural spaces that reflect the town’s rapidly diversifying identity.
“A needs assessment identified 42 active community arts groups in Bishop’s Stortford lacking appropriate performance and rehearsal space.
“Consultation of minority ethnic community organisations in East Herts revealed that 76% struggle to access space for events that support cultural expression and integration.
“The South Mill Arts centre turns away many community booking requests due to limited availability and prohibitive costs for smaller groups.
“And the recent closure of Water Lane Hall eliminated the uniquely flexible, central, mid-scale space that our district critically lacks.
“Have I made the case that our town is sorely lacking in cultural spaces? So, things are bad, but let’s back up a little.
“Did you know that our town is a national demographic anomaly? We are growing nearly four times faster than the UK average. Our population growth of 14% over the past decade is double the national norm, and by 2033 we expect an increase of over 28%, pushing us past 45,000 residents.
“But it’s not the numbers that bother me. The town’s demographic structure differs significantly from the national picture, signalling a rapid shift in cultural needs.
“We have a high youth population: 24% of residents are under 18, compared with the UK average of 21%, and our 25-34 age demographic has grown 22% over the past five years (national growth is 10%).
“Furthermore, 22% of our residents are over 65 (national average 18.6%) and our Chinese population currently is 2.6%, making it the fastest-growing ethnic minority group.
“So that’s the cocktail of our conundrum – poor cultural coverage, massive ongoing population growth and anomalous socio-demographics that make us different to other places, all without any planning for cultural cohesion.
“That’s our unique mix in the Stortford of 2028 – but it’s also a one-off opportunity to make our town a special place.
“The perfect opportunity for funding change in these cash-strapped times is a compelling bid for the UK Town of Culture 2028.
“Our Stortford story could focus on transformation, demonstrating how we will create culture for everyone as our town expands and demographics go off the scale.
“This brings the future of Water Lane Hall into sharp focus. A revitalised Water Lane Hall can serve as ‘Town of Culture Headquarters’. It can provide functional, dry space for exhibitions, workshops, rehearsals and professional-grade performance space, complete with a café/bar.
“East Herts Council has already refused to fund Water Lane Hall, so the Town of Culture prize is the most viable funding route.
“So... still laughing? Are you persuaded? How can you help? Let’s get the ball rolling on the Town of Culture bid. This is the funding opportunity that enables the wider transformation we need:
“Contact your councillors today. The Town of Culture 2028 is our opportunity for building community, culture and civic pride.
“Make sure our councils seize this chance to transform our town before it slips through our fingers.”