PERTH has become the second Scottish city to enter the race to be UK city of culture in 2021, after councillors voted to put £250,000 behind the bid.
Paisley announced in June that the town would also be going for the title.
Whichever candidate becomes UK City of Culture will see a major, year-long programme of events by many of the UK’s cultural organisations put on in their city. Derry which won the title in 2013 hosted the Turner Prize, Radio 1’s big weekend, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Ballet and a number of large-scale, specially-commissioned, home-grown pieces involving locals like the Undertones and Frank Cottrell Boyce.
The award is, according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, worth tens of millions of pounds to the local economy.
Hull, which beat cities including Dundee and Aberdeen to be crowned UK City of Culture 2017, believes its year could add £60 million to the city’s economy, attract a million extra visitors and create 84 permanent jobs.
Comedian and son of Perth Fred MacAulay told the National: “I’m all in favour of Perth getting it. It’s a great wee city and there’s loads of culture.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play the theatre a few times and the Concert Hall once. This kind of prestigious accolade-honour would surely mean the chance to play it again! Does that sound selfish? Joking aside, it’d be great if it happened.
“And if I can help the bid in any way, I’d be delighted to help.”
Ian Miller, Perth and Kinross council leader, said the the effect of winning would enormous.
“We are already investing heavily in our future by ensuring that our major facilities such as Perth Theatre are brought up to modern standards and to augment Perth Concert Hall and our community campuses.
“That investment programme has focused on Perth becoming a cultural hub for this part of Scotland.
“That being the case, I think this is a marvellous opportunity to put the icing on the cake by bidding for UK City of Culture 2021.”
Local MSP Liz Smith’s motion in Holyrood welcoming the bid has received cross-party support.
As well as Paisley, which already has a bid team in place, other cities which look set to take part in the race to land the culture title are Cardiff, Sunderland and Coventry.
City gets a Monopoly version
PERTH yesterday became the latest Scottish city to get its own version of Monopoly.
Makers of the board game previously produced editions dedicated to Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and now Perth has joined their ranks after beating 19 other Scottish locations for the privilege. Unveiled at Scone Palace yesterday, the set features local landmarks including the Black Watch Museum, the Fergusson Gallery and the Concert Hall, as well as the palace itself.
Perth was chosen following a public vote and the third-placed city, Stirling, now features in a cheeky card which fines players who have “strayed into Stirling”.
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