Plymouth eyes UK City of Culture bid

Plymouth hosted British Art Show 7 in 2011

Arts bosses are exploring the possibility of Plymouth becoming UK City of Culture 2017.

Professor Andrew Brewerton, principle of Plymouth College of Art, said the city had the "energy and potential".

It would make Plymouth the second UK city to hold the title, after Derry in 2013.

The UK City of Culture project was launched by the government after Liverpool was the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Prof Brewerton said Plymouth had shown its credentials as a city of culture by hosting British Art Show 7, a programme of contemporary art in 2011.

He said: "Plymouth people in their thousands showed an interest in some of the most challenging contemporary art around.

"Plymouth has to look to the horizons rather than look inwards with its cultural scope."

He said that the idea was being discussed with arts venues in the city.

He admitted that the cost of putting on the event could be a hurdle.

Aberdeen withdrew from bidding for the 2013 event after estimating the cost at up to £12m.

But Prof Brewerton added: "The return on the investment will be worth the effort.

"At the moment it is really just a conversation and we need to see what kind of appetite Plymouth has for it."