City of Culture bid Fresh calls to stop planned cuts to arts funding

BRISTOL'S cultural reputation could be further boosted by an upcoming bid to become the UK City of Culture.

- Alex SEABROOK Local democracy reporter

Bristol Light Festival last year - the event is set to return next month

(Pic: Paul Gillis)

Bristol City Council bosses believe the bid would help cultural organisations - but meanwhile they are also planning to cut cultural grants.

Winning the bid would bring in £10 million of government funding to Bristol - which would cover less than 10 per cent of the recent refurbishment of the Beacon. This would help a whole range of cultural providers, particularly as they are also facing a looming loss of council grant funding.

Councillors on the strategy and resources policy committee approved plans to submit an expression of interest for becoming the next City of Culture, on Tuesday. It will face competition from other contenders like Ipswich, Portsmouth and Plymouth.