Swindon misses out on UK City of Culture 2029 shortlist

The shortlist for UK City of Culture 2029 was announced on Thursday 22 October 2026 and Swindon was not on it. Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham were the four places chosen, Swindon24 reported.

Swindon had reached the final nine. The bid was put together by Swindon Culture Collective and Swindon Borough Council, and the campaign held more than 60 engagement events across the borough. Zurich, DoubleTree by Hilton Swindon and Gel Studios backed it.

What did the bid team say?

Councillor Matthew Vallender, Cabinet Member for Culture, Planning and Regeneration, said: "Naturally, we're disappointed not to progress further, but this isn't the end of our ambition." He added: "Now we need to be unapologetically ambitious."

Dr Roderick Hebden, chief executive of Swindon Culture Collective CIC, said: "One competition result doesn't define us."

Amy Brettell, Head of Zurich Municipal, said: "The process has demonstrated the creativity, pride and community spirit that make Swindon such a special place."

What happens next?

• The council has not committed to bidding for 2033, the next likely opportunity.
• It said the cultural ambitions of the campaign should not be dropped, and that a business case for a new theatre is under way.
• It had not set out a detailed programme, funding or timescale for what follows the bid.

More from Swindo: how Swindon reached the final nine.

Source: Swindon24.