News from Sheffield Labour

Sheffield’s City of Culture short listing welcomed by MP

Angela Smith MP today welcomed the short listing of Sheffield as a possible City of Culture, but regrets that Barnsley’s bid did not win through to the final four.

The city, which already has a fine cultural tradition, would be ideally placed to be Britain’s City of Culture in 2013,she says. Already the city boasts one of the finest theatre complexes outside of London in the form of the newly modernised Crucible and the more traditional Lyceum, rebuilt as part of the cultural festival for World Student Games.

She believes that winning such a prestigious year long event should benefit not just Sheffield but the whole of South Yorkshire for many years to come.

Commenting, Angela Smith said:

“It’s great to see Sheffield get to the last four of this prestigious competition. The city already has a cultural legacy to be proud of and I believe deserves to be Britain’s City of Culture in 2013. However, while I am delighted for Sheffield, may I say that I regret that Barnsley’s fine bid was not shortlisted. It is now incumbent on Sheffield to make sure that any detailed bid to become Britain’s City of Culture benefits not just Sheffield but the whole of the sub region, including Barnsley.”

The full list of shortlisted cities are Birmingham, Derry/Londonderry, Norwich and Sheffield. They were shortlisted by an independent judging panel, whose recommendations were accepted by Secretary of State Ben Bradshaw. The panel will also make the final recommendation on the winning bid, with that city to be announced in the summer.

Other news from Sheffield Labour

• Station Bridge roundtable with Transport Ministers announced - 8 February 2012
• Paul Blomfield MP slams Tory "ambush" of Government Fair Access Director - 8 February 2012
• Angela Smith MP highlights economic problems faced by Barnsley - 7 February 2012