NEWS: Have your say on why Malvern should be UK Town of Culture
Malvern could be in the running to be the UK Town of Culture - with a little help from its residents.
The UK Town of Culture 2028 competition is an opportunity for towns to showcase their cultural strengths, creativity, and community spirit.
Malvern Hills District Council is working with Malvern Town Council to submit a bid to be in the running to receive this national recognition.
As part of this, the councils are encouraging residents, businesses, creative groups, Parish and Town councils, community groups, and more to have their say on why Malvern should be the UK Town of Culture.
The survey will run until midnight on Wednesday, 18 March, and will ask questions about what the area has to offer in terms of arts, culture, heritage, and tourism.
The results will help shape the councils’ bid to be entered into the competition as well as influence future cultural plans. This will set out the area’s cultural vision and will demonstrate how culture can play a central role in future developments.
If successful, the winning area will secure funding support from UK Government to deliver a year-long programme of arts, heritage, and cultural activities.
The initiative aims to boost local pride, attract visitors, support economic growth, and strengthen partnerships across communities, businesses, and cultural organisations.
The term ‘Malvern’ includes Great Malvern and the surrounding areas- Malvern Link, West Malvern, Malvern Wells, Little Malvern and Barnard's Green.
Cllr Beverley Nielsen, Portfolio Holder for Economy and Tourism at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We are very excited about this wonderful opportunity to celebrate everything that Malvern has to offer. The area is steeped in a rich and varied cultural history which should be recognised even more fully at a national level. We want our residents, businesses, and community groups to join in with us on this journey as all their input is invaluable and vital in helping us to shape our submission. So please take part in the survey and help us guide the submission for UK Town of Culture 2028!”.
Cllr Marilyn Birks, Mayor of Malvern, said: “When I first came to live in Malvern in the 1970s there was a revival of the Malvern Festival and an exciting and alternative Malvern Fringe programme. This went on to raise the profile of Malvern over decades and that brought in people from all over the Uk and the world. Now 50 years on, it's the right time to build and renew on all the great things Malvern has to offer, in terms of its heritage and cultural landscape, and in 2026 enhanced by a new and increasingly diverse population where creativity and hi-tech brings a promise of a renewed, exciting place to be.”
Visit www.malvernhills.gov.uk/consultations for more information and to take part in the survey.
Deadline for responses is midnight on Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
Published 24 Feb 2026.