A total of 39 places across the UK, including the Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories have applied to win city status as part of a competition being run in honour of the 2022 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Winning city status can provide a boost to local communities and open up new opportunities for people who live there, as is the case with previous winners, where the local economies benefited from their improved national and global standing.
For the first time, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories were eligible to apply for the title as part of the competition.
Stanley in the Falkland Islands, almost 8,000 miles away, is one of the places to apply, whilst there have also been entries from Gibraltar and the Cayman Islands.
Commenting, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Steve Barclay said:
“Today’s announcement is a celebration of the rich and diverse communities which make up not only the United Kingdom, but also our friends further afield in the Falklands, Gibraltar and the Cayman Islands.
“It’s fitting that, as we look towards celebrating the 70-year reign of Her Majesty The Queen, we extend the competition to include those parts of the world which also hold her so dearly.
“City status is not only about local pride, it can deliver real levelling up benefits for businesses and the local area, which is clear from the high number of applications. A sincere best of luck to all those who have applied.”
Applicants were asked to talk about the distinct identity and community which they felt meant that their area deserved to become a city, as well as the royal associations of their area.
The Cabinet Office has also announced the 12 cities which are vying for Lord Mayor or Lord Provost status.
Unlike previous civic honours competitions, an expert panel will work closely with Ministers to make their recommendations, before being approved by the Queen.
The final decision will be taken in spring 2022 and announced shortly afterwards as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
City status entrants:
England: Alcester, Blackburn, Bolsover, Boston, Bournemouth, Colchester, Crawley, Crewe, Doncaster, Dorchester, Dudley, Goole, Guildford, Marazion, Medway, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newport and Carisbrooke, Northampton, Reading, Warrington, Warwick
Scotland: Dumfries, Dunfermline, Elgin, Greenock, Livingston, Oban, St Andrews, South Ayrshire
Wales: Wrexham
Northern Ireland: Ballymena, Bangor, Coleraine
Crown Dependencies/British Overseas Territories: Douglas (Isle of Man), Peel (Isle of Man), Gibraltar (Gibraltar), George Town (Cayman Islands), Stanley (Falkland Islands)
Lord Mayor/Lord Provost nominees
England: Bath, Derby, Gloucester, Lancaster, Lincoln, Southampton, Sunderland, Wolverhampton, Worcester
Scotland: Inverness, Perth
Wales: Newport
PSE will be hosting a Learning & Development virtual event on 3 February 2022. Join us for the full day event by registering here.
