Greenwich, Lewisham, Sutton and Croydon have all been shortlisted to be the London Borough of Culture 2021.

The Mayor of London today announced a seven borough shortlist who have been invited to City Hall to present their bid to be the next London Borough of Culture.

The winning boroughs for 2021 and 2023 will each be awarded £1.35m to deliver an ambitious programme celebrating unique local character and placing culture at the heart of the community.

The scheme was launched by Sadiq Khan based on the UK City and European Capital of Culture programmes, with Waltham Forest winning in 2019 and Brent holding the title for 2020.

Greenwich Council leader Danny Thorpe said he was "absolutely delighted and buzzing" the local authority is in the running for London Borough of Culture, as well as calling on the public to help win them the crown.

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"Our borough is made by our combined histories and experiences, and it’s culture that brings us all together.

“Our ambitious programme uses cultural participation as a platform to provide jobs and apprentices, tackle social isolation, promote communities coming together and start conversations on climate change and what it means to be a citizen of Royal Greenwich today."

He added that whilst parts of the borough already are established cultural destinations, being awarded Borough of Culture 2021 would allow them to accelerate culture, tourism and heritage plans across Woolwich, Plumstead, Charlton and Eltham to help them tackle deprivation and lack of opportunity.

 

 

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Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, said: “In every corner of the capital there is creativity and culture, there are hidden gems and unexpected stories.

"The London Borough of Culture shines a light on the unique character of our boroughs, it inspires powerful civic pride and celebrates world class culture.

"The first winner, Waltham Forest, has set the bar really high with a fantastic programme, every single school in the borough involved and 1,000 local people inspired to volunteer. I can’t wait to see who’s next.”

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Hounslow, Haringey and Hammersmith & Fulham complete the seven borough shortlist.

The successful bids will be announced in February.