Bradford has been named the UK City of Culture 2025.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries made the announcement on Tuesday evening.
Bradford won over fellow finalists County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough.
The shortlist was compiled from a record group of 20 that had initially registered bids to take over the title, currently held by Coventry.
The advisory panel, chaired by Sir Phil Redmond, visited the four shortlisted places before making their final recommendation in May, which was later approved by Ms Dorries.
For the first time this year, the eight longlisted winners received a £40,000 grant to strengthen their applications. They included Cornwall, Derby, Stirling and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.
Since winning the title, Coventry has seen more than £172 million invested in funding music concerts and the UK’s first permanent immersive digital art gallery, as well as a further £500 million for the city’s regeneration, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said.
Labour MP for Bradford East Imran Hussain said he is “beyond delighted” that Nadine Dorries has named Bradford the UK City of Culture 2025.
The shadow employment rights and protections minister tweeted: “Bradford is beautiful, Bradford is brilliant, and Bradford is the now the #UKCityofCulture2025!!”
“There really is no better place, and I’m beyond delighted that the Minister agrees with me.”
While the Bradford 2025 official bid account on Twitter wrote: “This is our time to celebrate our extraordinary district – and for our young population to become leaders and change-makers to begin an exciting new chapter in our story.”
Bradford has been crowned the UK City of Culture 2025
Jonathan Pow
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries revealed the news
Steve Parsons