St Neots launches bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028

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

Neotists CIC will work with partners across St Neots and the wider region, including cultural organisations, community groups, businesses, education partners and local authorities, to develop a bid that reflects the town’s identity, ambition and creativity. Central to the approach is the idea that culture in St Neots is shaped by local people and embedded in everyday life.

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

Neotists CIC is a community interest company that supports, connects and champions creatives and cultural activity in St Neots and the surrounding area. It currently has more than 350 members, including artists, musicians, performers, writers, designers, filmmakers, producers and makers. The organisation is best known for delivering St Neots Festival, the town’s largest contemporary cultural event. Across two full-scale festivals and two micro-festivals, Neotists has attracted a combined audience of around 35,000 people, bringing live music, performance, visual art and family activity into public spaces across the town.

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 and support wellbeing.

Residents, organisations and businesses are invited to get involved and help shape the bid. To receive updates and opportunities, sign up to the Neotists newsletter at neotists.co.uk/contact.