Portsmouth City Council joins Future Cities Forum
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- 4 min read
Future Cities Forum is delighted that Cllr Steve Pitts, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, will be speaking at our 'Cultural Cities' forum at the Tower of London this week.
Portsmouth City Council, in partnership with Portsmouth Creates, has announced plans to bid for the prestigious UK City of Culture 2029 title to showcase the city’s creativity, heritage and ambition on a national stage.
The bid reflects the council’s long-term vision for Portsmouth to be a city rich in culture and creativity by 2040, where collaboration, community and innovation thrive. Through this bid, cultural regeneration will sit at the heart of council plans, driving economic growth, improving wellbeing and creating opportunities for all.
The announcement comes as Portsmouth prepares for Portsmouth100, a year-long celebration in 2026 marking a century since Portsmouth achieved city status. Portsmouth100 will bring together communities, organisations and businesses in a programme of events that honour our proud heritage and culture while looking ahead to a future of opportunity.
Cllr Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibility for culture, regeneration and economic development, said: “Portsmouth is bursting with creativity and community spirit. This bid is about more than a title, it’s about unlocking opportunities for our residents, attracting investment and showcasing the incredible talent we have here. As we mark 100 years as a city in 2026, we want to build on that pride and create a lasting legacy that benefits generations to come.”
Winning the UK City of Culture title would create a legacy that:
Places Portsmouth firmly on the national and international map as a leading waterfront city
Drives sustainable economic growth, attracting investment and boosting tourism
Creates new businesses and high-quality jobs, helping retain and attract talent
Raises aspirations and develops skills, ensuring culture is accessible for all
Strengthens civic pride and community cohesion, improving wellbeing across the city
Puts cultural regeneration at the heart of Portsmouth’s long-term ambitions and placemaking
The bid will be developed in partnership with Portsmouth Creates, reflecting the transformative power of culture and creativity. Next step is to submit a formal expression of interest to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), with the longlist to be announced in February.
Gemma Nichols, Chief Executive Officer of Portsmouth Creates, said: “Portsmouth is ready to come together to develop its bid to become UK City of Culture 2029. As a city we know that our greatest asset is our community, a community that is ready to take on this competition, using it as a platform to showcase our stories, ambition, talent and collaboration that truly defines us and what make us proud to be Pompey! Bidding to become UK City of Culture 2029 brings tangible economic, cultural and social benefits leading up to, during and post the competition. It will amplify the incredible work already happening here and help unlock new possibilities for creativity, inclusion and economic growth. Portsmouth Creates is proud to lead this bid and champion the voices of the people who make this city such a vibrant place to live, work and visit.”
Fundraising has officially begun for a memorial statue of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, marking a moment of deep national and local significance as Portsmouth celebrates 100 years since being granted city status.
Portsmouth has long held a strong and enduring relationship with the Crown, and her late Majesty visited the city on many historic occasions throughout her reign. These included the Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977, welcoming home Falklands War troops in September 1982, the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar in 2005, and the D‑Day 75 commemorations in 2019. The Queen also played a central role in the reopening of Portsmouth Guildhall in 1959 and marked the first operational deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth in May 2021.
The year 2026 represents a unique moment for the city. As well as being the centenary of Portsmouth’s city status, it would also have marked the Queen’s 100th birthday, offering a meaningful opportunity to reflect on her extraordinary life of service and her long‑standing relationship with Portsmouth.
Fundraising for the memorial begins today, Tuesday 21 April 2026, her late Majesty’s birthday, and exactly 100 years since Portsmouth officially became a city. Portsmouth City Council is contributing £10,000 to start the project.
The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Gerald Vernon‑Jackson CBE, said: “This day holds an additional meaning in our national memory, as 21 April marks the birthday of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her long life of service and dedication is woven deeply into the identity of this nation and Portsmouth. On this centenary of our city, we honour her legacy with both gratitude and affection.
“It is therefore my pleasure to share that the city is now working towards the creation of a lasting memorial to Her late Majesty, a place where residents and visitors alike may reflect on her extraordinary life of duty and her long relationship with our city. We look forward to sharing more details with you as this important work progresses.”
Residents, businesses and supporters are invited to contribute to the fundraising campaign and help create a lasting tribute that will be enjoyed by future generations.
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