Ludlow Town Council has received confirmation from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport that, although our application for UK Town of Culture 2028 was not shortlisted, our bid was recognised for its care, ambition and strong community involvement. With 398 applications submitted nationally and only 15 places selected for the shortlist, competition was exceptionally high.

We are immensely proud of the story we told and of the hundreds of residents, partners, volunteers, young people, and organisations who helped shape Ludlow’s bid. The process has strengthened partnerships, amplified youth voice, and created a shared vision for how culture can support wellbeing, opportunity, and connection across the town.

Town Clerk Gina Wilding said: “Although Ludlow hasn’t been shortlisted this time, the journey has been invaluable. Our application reflected the creativity, generosity, and determination of our community, and the belief that culture should be something everyone can access and shape. We are proud of what we achieved together, and we will continue building on the ideas and partnerships that emerged through this process.”

Youth voice was a defining strength of Ludlow’s bid, and this commitment continues through projects such as the Summer Youth Festival, which gives young people a platform to shape cultural activity, express their creativity, and imagine Ludlow’s future. The Town of Culture process has reinforced how vital youth support is to Ludlow’s cultural identity, and this work will carry forward into future programmes.

The UK Town of Culture Chair, Sir Phil Redmond CBE, wrote to Ludlow acknowledging the strength of the bid and encouraging the town to continue developing the work already underway. He emphasised that every application contributes to the national story of how towns use culture to celebrate identity, tackle challenges, and bring communities together.

DCMS will now work with applicants to offer guidance and support on how towns can continue developing cultural activity beyond the competition. Ludlow Town Council will build on the momentum created through the bid by continuing to work with partners, young people, cultural organisations, and community groups to explore new opportunities for cultural engagement across the town.

We extend our congratulations to all shortlisted towns and wish them every success in the next stage of the competition.

Ludlow’s cultural story continues, and we look forward to the next chapter.