Phil Redmond tells Birmingham to go for it in City of Culture bid

Jul 23 2009 by Jonathan Walker, Birmingham Post

“So what gets left behind is a cultural network that might not have existed in the past. That has been one of the strengths of 2008 in Liverpool, bringing those people together and working collectively.”

The UK City of Culture could expect to receive free publicity worth around £100 million, thanks partly to a commitment by the BBC and Channel 4 to publicise events, he said.

This would help promote the winning city throughout the media, he added. “If the BBC say they are coming to do something it then in itself becomes a media event.”

However, the City of Culture will not receive any extra funding, said Mr Redmond.

“It is about keeping people around the table, talking and exchanging ideas, and how people can work corroboratively.”

One if the issues Liverpool had faced was trying to decide what was meant by culture, he said.

“But in the European Capital of Culture paperwork was a short form which said ‘arts, literature and shared lifestyle’ as a definition, and that’s what we took as a benchmark in Liverpool, because you are then able to roll in things like the educational and community projects.”

The city council has begun work on a draft 10-page bid, which will be considered by the council’s Cabinet in September before it decides whether to enter the contest.

Paul Tilsley, the authority’s deputy leader, said “I have no doubt that Birmingham can make a compelling case to be UK City of Culture but it is only right and proper that we thoroughly evaluate the costs and benefits.”