We’re bidding: UK Town of Culture 2028
Melton Mowbray Submits Expression of Interest to Become UK Town of Culture 2028
Melton Mowbray has formally submitted an Expression of Interest to become UK Town of Culture 2028, setting out a bold, community-led vision to celebrate culture, creativity and rural innovation at the heart of the country.
The bid presents Melton as ‘the Nation’s Dinning Table’ – a place where people, ideas and cultures have met for centuries through food, farming, markets and shared traditions. As the UK’s Rural Capital of Food, Melton’s story connects farm to fork, heritage to innovation, and local identity to national significance.
A culture-led future for a market town
At the centre of the proposal is the re-imagining of Melton’s historic Stockyard, the UK’s largest town centre livestock market. Building on existing investment through the Rural Innovation in Action programme, the bid outlines plans for the Stockyard to become a major cultural and creative hub, including a new Culture House opening in 2028, alongside food, farming, arts and community activity.
The ambition is to show how a modern and growing market town can thrive through culture – strengthening the town centre, boosting the visitor economy, supporting creative businesses and improving health and wellbeing across town and villages.
Community at the heart
The Expression of Interest has been shaped with input from over 30 cultural, community and creative partners, alongside residents, businesses and regional organisations. If shortlisted, Melton will establish a Citizens for Culture Panel, ensuring local people – including young people and under represented communities – play a direct role in shaping the programme.
The approach builds on extensive recent engagement, including workshops, surveys and town centre pop ups, and reflects priorities identified by local communities: tackling rural isolation, widening access to culture, creating opportunities for young people, and revitalising the town centre and surrounding parks and waterways.
Working in partnership
The bid is led by the Melton Place Partnership, supported by Melton Borough Council, and includes partners Melton Town Estate, Melton BID, Melton Mowbray Market, education providers, and cultural organisations. Together, they aim to deliver a programme that is inclusive, ambitious and leaves a lasting legacy for Melton and the wider rural region.
What happens next?
The UK Town of Culture programme will assess Expressions of Interest and invite a shortlist of towns to develop full bids. Regardless of the outcome, Melton’s submission reinforces a clear direction of travel: putting culture at the heart of place making, regeneration and community wellbeing.
Updates will be shared as the process progresses.
