Crawley announces city status bid on 75th anniversary

Councillors say Crawley "requires recognition" as a social, economic and cultural hub.

Crawley is to re-apply for city status for the third time, 75 years after it was named a New Town by the Queen.

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of entering the Civic Honours competition, which is part of the Queen's platinum jubilee celebrations.

A consultation running until 18 November will ask locals what they love and are proud of about Crawley.

The closing date for bids is 8 December, with the government announcing the winners in early 2022.

Council leader Peter Lamb said: "It would be very hard to think of a better way of trying to regenerate a sense of civic direction, to regenerate a sense of civic pride moving forward".

He added "It cannot be right that West Sussex at this time only has a single city.

"Crawley is certainly leading the way in terms of this county and what it delivers for the communities that it serves and I think it would be a fantastic thing for us."

The decision comes after a report said a bid would rebuild local pride after the effects of pandemic on the town and nearby Gatwick Airport.

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