Thanet District Council to submit Margate bid for UK Town of Culture 2028

Margate is to be put forward for consideration as the first ever UK Town of Culture.

The government will select one town nationally to be named UK Town of Culture, receiving £3 million to deliver a cultural programme in 2028.

The proposal follows the recent disappointing news that the Isle of Thanet was not shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2028.

As such, an expedited bid for UK Town of Culture 2028 is now being developed by Thanet District Council on behalf of the community. An initial stakeholder meeting with representatives from Margate took place yesterday evening (Wednesday 25 March) to put forward the proposal. There was overwhelming support for the bid from those at the meeting. 

Margate is proposed on the basis of having the necessary assets, infrastructure and organisations needed to deliver a strong cultural event programme in 2028 should it win the competition. There is also substantial evidence regarding the cultural priorities of Margate and Thanet’s residents to help strengthen the submission.

Chief Executive of Thanet District Council, Colin Carmichael said: “The incredible support we witnessed as part of the recent Isle of Culture bid has demonstrated there is a clear passion and commitment to make this happen within our community. Although a district-wide bid was sadly not successful, we believe this is an opportunity we could not let pass and are now moving quickly to put Margate forward. We believe Margate possesses the cultural assets and infrastructure to deliver a fantastic programme in 2028.”

Work is underway at pace to develop the submission. The deadline for expressions of interest is Tuesday 31 March 2026. 

To inform the drafting of the bid, the council is engaging with representatives in Margate across the cultural sector. Given the timing of this decision, while it hasn’t been possible to speak to everyone, if Margate is shortlisted, grass roots engagement will be at the core of the proposed activities.