St Neots Town Council has formally resolved its support for the town’s bid to become the UK Town of Culture 2028, following a full council meeting on 24 February 2026.

Councillors considered a report setting out the details of the competition, run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the proposal from Neotists CIC to lead the development and submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) on behalf of the town. The deadline for submissions is 31 March 2026.

The council resolved three recommendations: to note the information provided on the competition; to formally support the submission of an EOI for St Neots; and to confirm that St Neots Town Council will participate as a required partner in any bid submitted, in accordance with DCMS rules.

The report noted that more than 15 local organisations had already publicly expressed their support for the bid, including theatre groups, community organisations, educational bodies, local media and civic groups.

The UK Town of Culture competition, modelled on the successful UK City of Culture programme, invites towns across the UK to demonstrate how culture can strengthen communities, restore pride in place and create lasting social and economic benefits. The winning town will receive £3 million to deliver a six-month cultural programme in 2028, with two finalists each receiving £250,000 to carry forward elements of their bid. Shortlisted towns will also receive a £60,000 grant to develop their full application.

Neotists CIC, the community interest company co-founded by St Neots Mayor Richard Slade, is leading the bid. The organisation has a strong track record of delivery in the town, most notably through St Neots Festival, which has attracted a combined audience of around 35,000 people across two full-scale festivals and two micro-festivals.

The bid is being developed with the support of a volunteer team, including a cultural strategist, PRINCE2-qualified bid director, and a former head of corporate operations for Hull UK City of Culture 2017.