SOUTHEND has launched its bid to be named UK City of Culture – an accolade which could land the city hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue and investment.

Only two months since achieving city status, officials are working to drum up support for Southend – with preparations ongoing for a formal application happening behind the scenes.

Previous winners have reaped huge economic and cultural benefits from the scheme.

Coventry, which won the title last year, reported an additional £172 million in revenue as a result of the accolade, with 102 jobs created.

And after Hull was named UK City of Culture in 2017, it enjoyed a reported £89 million of direct investment as a result, plus an additional £676 million of cash generated into its economy in 2017.

A whopping 800 jobs were created and employment in the cultural sector increased by 15 per cent.

“Previous host cities have done fantastically well, and we would love to be able to replicate that here in Southend,” Ian Gilbert, leader of the council, said.

“It would help to encourage large-scale investment in the city, especially culture and tourism, which in turn would be a boost for everyone else living and doing business here.”

The title UK City of Culture is given to a city or local area for 12 months, during which the successful bidder hosts a variety of cultural festivities and events. It is awarded every four years, with Southend aiming to win the 2029 title.

Previous winners are Derry, Kingston upon Hull and Coventry, with the 2025 winner to be announced next month. 

Southend West MP Anna Firth met with Nigel Huddleston, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport – the department responsible for the scheme – to launch Southend’s bid on Monday.

Ms Firth was joined by David Stanley, founder of the Music Man Project, and Scott Dolling, director of culture and tourism for Southend Council.

Mr Stanley says bidding for the scheme would set out Southend's "ambition to build on the momentum of city status" and would greatly benefit the city's arts and cultural sector.

Following the meeting, he spoke of his excitment for the plans, adding: “You could feel the buzz in the room as we proudly extolled the virtues of our city and explored unique plans to transform Southend into a fully accessible cultural centre of excellence for our residents and for the nation."

Arts Minister Lord Parkinson said: “The UK City of Culture competition shows the important role that culture can play in levelling up our towns, cities and rural communities - bringing investment, great events, thousands of tourists, and opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds.”