UK City of Culture: Southampton welcomes 2025 judges
- Published
Southampton has welcomed the UK City of Culture 2025 judges, ahead of a decision on who will win the title.
The panel toured the city centre and the St Mary's, Millbrook and Weston areas on foot and by boat, bus and car.
They met local community groups, artists and businesses who were supporting Southampton's bid.
The city is competing against Wrexham, Bradford and County Durham. The winner will be announced in Coventry, the current title-holder, in late May.
The judging panel began their tour at Godshouse Tower art gallery before a boat tour during which they were greeted by hundreds of school children lined up along Weston Shore.
The panel had lunch prepared by Southampton's MasterChef winner and SO25 UK City of Culture chair Shelina Permalloo at City College.
Embroidered table runners for the lunch were specially created by the city's Women Integration Group.
Analysis
By Emily Hudson, BBC South political reporter
There are six hours to show off Southampton and make it shine, so it's an intensive schedule for the judges.
This visit is about showing off Southampton's landmarks, heritage and cultural places.
The tour started at God's House Tower - a medieval gatehouse, now a contemporary art gallery and space for artists. It's one of the places Southampton hopes will make it a great centre for culture.
But it's also about showing the city's people, its diverse communities and the need for the multi-million pound investment the title would bring.
The bid team will be hoping they will have done enough to "Make it SO".
The judging panel also called in at St Mary's Football Stadium.
With a capacity of 32,384, the home of Southampton FC is currently the largest football stadium outside London in the south of England.
The city will host a ministerial visit next week before a final pitch to the judges and the final decision at the end of the month.
Bid director Claire Whitaker said: "If we are chosen to be UK City of Culture, we stand ready to deliver.
"Southampton has the will, the support and the commitment to make it happen here."
If Southampton is chosen, it plans to host an opening celebration on land, sea and air in May 2025.
UK City of Culture is a competition run by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport every four years.
The winner holds the title for one year.
Previous title-holders include Derry-Londonderry in 2013 and Hull in 2017.
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