30 organisations support St Neots’ UK Town of Culture 2028

Neotists CIC have 30 organisations that have shown their support for St Neots to become the UK Town of Culture 2028.

From independent businesses and community groups to schools, charities and cultural organisations, each one has made an active choice to say that arts and culture matter here and that it’s not a luxury but part of what makes this St Neots work.

St Neots is one of the fastest-growing towns in the country. That growth brings opportunity, but it also brings a question: what kind of place do we want to be? These 30 organisations are helping to answer that.

We’re not done yet. If your organisation wants to be part of what we’re building, we’d love to hear from you.

UK Town of Culture 2028 survey

St Neots is bidding to become the UK Town of Culture 2028, and we want to hear from you.

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BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s Dotty McLeod interviewed the co-founder of Neotists and the Mayor of St Neots on Monday 1 February 2026. St Neots has announced its campaign to become the first UK Town of Culture. The winner of the contest for 2028 will be awarded £3 million and will have the chance to showcase cultural events during the year.

BBC Look East — St Neots for Town of Culture 2028

St Neots has announced its intention to bid for the prestigious title of UK Town of Culture 2028, with the programme being led by Neotists CIC, a local cultural organisation rooted in the town’s creative community. BBC Look East reporter Mousumi Bakshi interviewed Neotists co-founder Richard Slade, local business owner Sunny Mann and creative producer Dr Carly Robinson in St Neots on 3 February 2025 about the competition and why St Neots should deserve to win.

St Neots launches bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028

St Neots has announced its intention to bid for the prestigious title of UK Town of Culture 2028, with the programme being led by Neotists CIC, a local cultural organisation rooted in the town’s creative community.

Neotists CIC will work in partnership with stakeholders across St Neots and the wider local region, including cultural organisations, community groups, businesses, education partners and local authorities, to develop and deliver the bid. Together, they aim to showcase how culture in St Neots is created with people, not just for them.

The UK Town of Culture programme celebrates the power of culture to restore pride in place, strengthen communities and unlock long-term social and economic benefits. For St Neots, the bid represents an opportunity to build on existing cultural momentum while creating new opportunities for participation, skills development and creative careers.

About Neotists CIC

Neotists CIC is a community interest company that supports, connects and champions creatives, cultural organisations and community-led activity in St Neots and the surrounding area. The organisation currently has over 350 members, representing a wide range of talents including artists, musicians, performers, writers, designers, filmmakers, producers, makers and cultural leaders.

Neotists works to create economic opportunities for creatives, encourages collaboration and ensures culture plays a central role in the life and future of the town. Its work spans festivals, commissions, skills development, partnerships and advocacy for culture at a local and regional level.

A proven track record of delivery

Neotists CIC is best known for delivering St Neots Festival, the town’s largest contemporary cultural event. Across two full-scale festivals and two micro-festivals, the programme has attracted a combined audience of approximately 35,000 people, bringing live music, performance, visual art, family activity and community participation into public spaces across the town.

The festival has become a major platform for local talent while also welcoming regional and national artists, demonstrating St Neots’ ability to deliver high-quality, inclusive cultural experiences at scale. Alongside the festival, Neotists has delivered a wide range of creative projects, partnerships and events that support artists, engage communities and animate the town throughout the year.

Looking ahead

As one of the fastest-growing towns in Cambridgeshire, St Neots is at a pivotal moment. The UK Town of Culture 2028 bid will explore how culture can help shape sustainable growth, strengthen civic pride, support wellbeing and ensure that development is matched by investment in people, creativity and community life.

Over the coming weeks, Neotists CIC and its partners will be inviting residents, organisations and businesses to help shape the bid and ensure it reflects the ambitions and identity of the whole town.

Anyone interested in being involved, receiving updates or supporting the bid is encouraged to sign up to the Neotists newsletter.

Further announcements will be shared via local media and online as the bid progresses.