Emsworth has missed out on becoming the UK’s first Town of Culture after failing to make the shortlist for the next round.

Fifteen towns have been shortlisted, after nearly 400 places from across the country entered the landmark competition, with Sandown on the Isle of Wight being the only place on the South Coast to make the prestigious list.

Emsworth had high hopes for the competition thanks to its thriving art scene, independent shops and local charm, with its application also involving the neighbouring communities of Southbourne, Thorney Island, and Westbourne.

But ultimately it has missed out alongside other South Coast bids from Fordingbridge and East Cowes.

Fifteen towns will now compete for the inaugural UK Town of Culture 2028 title.

The shortlisted towns are:

• Small towns: Ilfracombe, Isle of Bute, Lerwick, Sandown, Strabane, and Stockton Town Centre Ward

• Medium towns: Corby, Great Yarmouth, Leith, Pontypridd, and Port Talbot

• Large towns: Basildon, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham

Shortlisted towns will now receive £60,000 each to develop their full bids, which will be assessed by the independent judging panel. One finalist will then be selected from each category with the overall winner being announced early next year.

Culture Secretary  Nandy said: “I want to say a massive congratulations to the fifteen shortlisted towns Lisa and I wish them luck in the next round of the competition.

“The fact that we received so many applications just goes to show how proud people are of their towns. When I launched this competition, I wanted to shine a light on our amazing towns all across the UK and the huge contribution they make to our national life.

“I am so glad that so many towns have applied and I hope each and every town, whether they have been shortlisted or not, is incredibly proud of the work they have done to champion their local community.”

The shortlisted towns were recommended by the independent panel chaired by Sir Phil Redmond. The other members of the panel were selected to ensure a broad range of cultural experience and regional diversity.

Chair of the independent panel, Sir Phil Redmond said: “The response to the competition has been, to say the least, overwhelming, quite literally from all four corners of the UK. It has been fantastic that nearly 400 towns have come forward, sharing their sense of pride, ambition and desire to demonstrate how much they have, and continue to contribute to our national story.

“That of course has made making the decision on the shortlist itself much more difficult, never mind the actual winners.

“I look forward to visiting those towns that have made the list and I am sure that, just like City of Culture, those that didn’t manage it will have found the experience of taking part worthwhile in strengthening partnerships, raising awareness and reminding us all of the depth and spread of the UK’s cultural landscape. I’d like to thank them all for that.”

The winner will go on to host a season of culture in 2028, which will help them to deliver a long-lasting legacy of cultural participation and local pride as has been seen in previous winners of the UK City of Culture competition; Derry-Londonderry 2013, Hull 2017, Coventry 2021 and Bradford 2025.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth is waiting to find out if it has made the shortlist for the 2029 City of Culture after being longlisted earlier in the year. This is expected to be announced in the Autumn,

Local entries from Hampshire, Sussex and the Isle of Wight were:

• East Cowes

• Emsworth

• Fordingbridge

• Haslemere

• Lewes

• Lymington and Pennington

• Midhurst and Easebourne

• Newhaven

• Petworth

• Rye

• Sandown

• Shanklin

• Ventnor

The News 9thJuly