Coventry winning City of Culture would be “win for the whole of the region”, says Marcus Jones MP
Nuneaton is set to benefit if Coventry wins the competition to be the UK’s next City of Culture, according to local MP, Marcus Jones.
The MP joined fellow West Midlands MPs, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, and a host of local arts and cultural groups in Parliament to show his support for Coventry last week.
The parliamentary event, which attracted over 100 attendees, was designed to show the breadth of support that Coventry’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021 has.
Commenting on the event, Marcus Jones MP said:
“I’m proud to be backing Coventry as the UK’s next City of Culture.
“Coventry and our wider region have so much to offer in terms of culture, I have every confidence that we can win!
“This would be a win for the whole of the region, which would bring millions to the local economy and help to put the West Midlands well and truly on the map.”
Coventry South MP Jim Cunningham sponsored the event and the audience also heard from Laura McMillan, Coventry City of Culture Trust Manager; David Burbidge, Coventry City of Culture Trust Chairman; and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street.
Andy Street told the 100-strong audience: “This is a bid for the whole region. We need it and we deserve it as the team has put together an inspiring programme for 2021.
“It is an opportunity to attract investment and to reappraise the way Coventry views itself and its story.
“A unique point to sell for Coventry is its wonderful diversity – its culture links people of all communities and it is a vision of a modern Britain in a post-Brexit world.
“And the support it has from right across the board is great to see. It has support from business, support from politicians from both sides and support from the population.
“When I am in Coventry, I never hear anybody saying that we shouldn’t be doing this – everybody is right behind it. Now we need to go and win it because, as a region, this is our time.”
Coventry’s bid film was previewed at the event before its general release this week, and showed off the city as a place of welcome, innovation and culture.
The West Midlands city was recently shortlisted in the competition and is now up against Paisley, Sunderland, Swansea and Stoke-on-Trent. The winner is expected to be announced in December of this year.
Coventry City Council, The University of Warwick, and Coventry University are Principal Partners of the bid and are providing significant support. The Ricoh Arena is Bid Sponsor while Jaguar Land Rover, Adient, Friargate, Coventry Building Society, the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Birmingham Airport, PET-Xi, SCC, Pertemps, CEF (City Electrical Factors) and Listers are also Bid Development Sponsors.
To show your support for Coventry’s bid on social media, go to @Coventry2021 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more information, log onto www.coventry2021.co.uk