The Wrexham City of Culture bid 2025 looks to engage with as many members of the community as possible and get their ideas and opinions on what Wrexham's year as hosts should look like.

Creatives will be encouraged to contribute to the decision-making and planning with the aim of getting as many communities and voices heard around Wrexham.

Although Wrexham Council are leading on the bid, local businesses and diverse communities are shaping how Wrexham's year of hosting will look in 2025.

The competition uses culture to 'level up' areas of the UK, bringing increased productivity and opportunities to selected areas of the country.

The aim is to explore how culture can reanimate public spaces and shopping areas, and work on how to best upgrade the local civic and artistic infrastructure to take full advantage of the opportunities that the levelling up agenda provides.

This is especially important as Wrexham recovers from the Covid pandemic.

What are the benefits for Wrexham and the locals?

Economic benefits:

  • Wrexham will be seen as a region to invest before, during and after hosting both from outside investment, and within Wrexham.
  • Wrexham and surrounding areas will see a boost in tourism as a result.
  • The regions covid recovery will be assisted with increased footfall for the county and in the town centre.
  • Being hosts of UK City of Culture 2025 will further raise Wrexham's international profile.
  • Hull saw investment of around £219million as hosts in 2017, as well as generating 800 jobs as a direct result of hosting.

Further benefits:

  • Wrexham will be the UK focus for culture.
  • Aim to create positive changes in the perception of Wrexham both domestically, and to the world.
  • It's Wrexham's chance to show the world who it is and what it's made of. Hosting will lead to increased community engagement and social inclusion.
  • Wrexham winning would mean the award would come to Wales for the first time.

Joanna Swash, Moneypenny CEO and #Wrecsam2025 bid steering group chair said: "By supporting the Wrexham UK City of Culture bid 2025 we can put our community first and highlight our enthusiasm for what Wrexham has to offer. We have deep roots in the town, and are passionate about supporting our people and the wider community that we are a part of."

Hugh Jones, lead member for communities, place and partnerships at Wrexham Council said: "We're in this competition because we want to win and have Wrexham host UK City of Culture in 2025. From 20 initial applications we have stiff competition from the other seven regions who made it onto the longlist with us.

"We have put together a City of Culture team who are currently working flat out to give us the best chance of success.

"Key to the bid's success is community engagement and involvement in the process. We have invited communities and individuals to bid for funding of up to £1,000 to put on an event showcasing Wrexham's communities and culture.

"We currently gathering community insight that will be used to shape the bid."

People can keep up to date with the latest news by following #Wrecsam2025 or by visiting the website wrecsam2025.com