Portsmouth misses out on City of Culture shortlist

Portsmouth has missed out on the UK City of Culture 2029 shortlist in the year it celebrates 100 years of city status.

It was one of nine places on the longlist, but Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield and Wrexham have been picked to compete for the title and a £10m prize.

Portsmouth North's MP said she was "absolutely gutted" and that everyone in the city "works so hard".

Culture Minister Stephanie Peacock said it had been "such a competitive field" and the shortlisted locations all had "something unique to offer".

Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council, said he was "bitterly disappointed", but the loss would not prevent culture from being a priority.

"I've always said Portsmouth is a place that gets on with things," he said.

"It's lovely to have titles and accolades, and I'm not saying that wouldn't have been an incredible thing for the city... but it doesn't mean we're going to stop being who we are.

"And it doesn't mean we're going to stop driving our cultural identity."

Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin thanked the Portsmouth Creates team who worked on the bid for bringing the city together.

"We can't just stop just because we don't get the city of culture," she said. "We have to use that momentum."

All unsuccessful bidders will receive feedback, with the winner due to be announced early next year.

The news comes days before a free exhibition marking the city's centenary opens at Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery.

Portsmouth 100, which opens on Monday, spans three galleries and 20 themed sections, covering football, music, transport, art and the dockyard.

It includes a painting gifted by Portsmouth-born artist Sir Christopher Le Brun, who has had one of the galleries named after him.

Head of museums Cathy Hakes said local people and history societies had been "so generous with their knowledge, their photographs, their artefacts".