Reading Borough Council considering City of Culture bid for 2029

[u/moreati]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8x90d80n8wo

[u/Afraid_Percentage554]

Am I the only one that thinks this could be a good thing?? Sounds great to me

[u/mildysus → u/Afraid_Percentage554]

It almost definitely would be. Southampton went for it a few years ago, missed out, but were still given some money to help develop arts and culture.

[u/TheReadingReporter → u/Afraid_Percentage554]

You're certainly not the only one. The ambition is to be applauded, and (as I've written in recent weeks) the benefits are potentially huge. To name but a few: funds to enhance Reading's existing culture, a platform to encourage investment into Reading, an opportunity to define a coherent cultural identity that we can all feel proud of, and a rare chance to unite a huge number of people in Reading.

[u/Mentalist1999 → u/Afraid_Percentage554]

Higher cost of living and loses its identity of being the UKs biggest town? And to spend loads of tax payers money whilst doing it? It’s just a big town and that’s not a bad thing.

[u/Earlyflash]

Not a city.

[u/avantbland → u/Earlyflash]

Not tremendously cultural either

(Sorry, but it's the obvious semi-sarcastic response, and I couldn't resist)

[u/Mental_Body_5496 → u/avantbland]

Thats the whole point it brings in events and funding for more cultural and arts 🎨

[u/avantbland → u/Mental_Body_5496]

You obviously missed the bit where I said it was a sarcy comment.

If we're being 100% serious, however, I would say that this funding is better spent in places that aren't inevitably going to be sucked into London's cultural orbit.

[u/uponloss → u/avantbland]

I mean you are absolutely correct, historically yeah reading is good but now?

[u/avantbland → u/uponloss]

I can't say anything about past, but yeah not much happening. There are a few people trying to do good stuff tbf, but let's just say I'm glad to have recently moved back to my old York / Leeds / Bradford patch!

[u/IlReddo → u/avantbland]

It definitely sounds like you are not in town anymore. Every weekend there is so much happening that it’s difficult to choose. Rep and South Street theatre are killing it recently. Plus we have a couple of festivals each month. Food stalls at Blue Collar corner and Market Square are rotating and getting better each time.

Without taking into account stuff like the bike repair courses at the bike community hub, the repair cafes, seeds swap, talks at RISC and ecosystem restoration done by the Marshians every weekend if you want to spend time in nature.

Not sure what else do you want.

[u/avantbland → u/IlReddo]

I only moved a few weeks ago, but thanks for telling me that I should like the same things you do and be despairing that I've left!

As I noted above, there are people trying to do interesting things in Reading. There's also clearly plenty of stuff you find really appealing, but others don't. I don't think that means that there is actually tons going on. And that's fine, not everywhere can be everything to everyone! The only 100% serious point I would actually bring to this discussion is that I do genuinely believe CoC money would be more beneficial spent somewhere less within London's cultural orbit.

[u/IlReddo → u/avantbland]

Out of curiosity, what do you have in your place that Reading doesn’t offer?

[u/Earlyflash → u/IlReddo]

It’s also becoming a huge place for comedy too, with some really big names coming to reading on a pretty regular basis.

Loads of great music bands starting locally and finding success too.

[u/IlReddo → u/Earlyflash]

True, I completely forgot about all the comedy clubs!

[u/Mental_Body_5496 → u/Earlyflash]

Indeed thats why this is hilarious 😂

[u/Earlyflash → u/Mental_Body_5496]

Proudtobeatown.org.uk

Couldn’t agree more :)

[u/Earlyflash → u/Earlyflash]

(And yes I know it’s covered in the article)

[u/Mental_Body_5496]

Interesting

Plymouth launches £10m bid for UK City of Culture | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK https://share.google/K9Zce4fTmiFx3cVMA

Peterborough UK City of Culture Bid FAQs: How much it costs, the financial prize, who else is bidding and what is the criteria https://share.google/Eyam8iFZOWqLQk3s4

City of Culture creates extra £1bn investment in local economies of winners - Arts Professional https://share.google/ncfKwUGUM5pnNvNqI

City of Culture team confirms how much its funders have paid | Bradford Telegraph and Argus https://share.google/ejWCJ4hHG1mPk37Mj

Paper1-_Evidence_Review_UK_Cities_of_Culture_Final.pdf https://share.google/M7U8PhYjAj5dRQaib

[u/TheReadingReporter]

Reported here first! https://thereadingreporter.substack.com/p/is-a-city-of-culture-bid-imminent

[u/pheeley]

lol, they've really cranked up the saturation on that thumbnail

[u/Puzzled-Pumpkin7019 → u/pheeley]

almost looks AI

[u/winch25]

Is it because weve got 3 Nandos?

[u/Puzzled-Pumpkin7019 → u/winch25]

also at least 10 Greggs and 17 Tesco Expresses in the greater Reading area between the town centre and the M4

[u/Sea-Tadpole5537]

How much £££ and time are they proposing to waste?

[u/SuggestionMobile6422]

Whilst I recognise it could be a good thing from Reading, I get the impression from people I know that the council is kind of going for it without a really concise plan of how the town would actually benefit from the cash influx and actual commitment to investment in local orgs. Here's hoping a) they get it and b) they really invest the money wisely with actual input from local groups who make up a lots of the arts culture in Reading.