Rothwell launches bid for UK Town of Culture crown
Rothwell has joined other North Northants towns in expressing an interest in becoming the UK’s Town of Culture 2028.
The town council has submitted its Expression of Interest today (Friday, March 20), proclaiming the historic market town’s exceptional heritage and thriving community as a national model for small town cultural development.
With a slogan of Heritage Meets Horizon, the council says its vision offers a successful town ready to amplify existing strengths through culture, demonstrating how heritage and growth can thrive together.
The council says the bid centres on assets that set Rothwell apart nationally:
Two Grade I-listed buildings in a town of just 9,000 people – Holy Trinity Church and Market House
England’s only accessible medieval bone crypt – Holy Trinity's internationally significant ossuary containing about 1,500 individuals
An 820-year living tradition – the Rowell Fair Charter granted by King John in 1204, still proclaimed annually
No vacant shops on the high street, with eight restaurants and three pubs demonstrating exceptional commercial vitality
Mayor Ian Jelley said: “Rothwell isn’t asking to be rescued – we're ready to show what’s possible.
“With two Grade I-listed buildings, England’s only accessible bone crypt, and a high street with no empty shops, we’re starting from a position of strength.
“Town of Culture 2028 offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock the full potential of our heritage whilst welcoming 1,100 new homes and integrating new residents into our community.”
If successful, the bid could bring a £2.4m visitor economy impact through 50,000 additional visitors during 2028, with 25,000 sustained annually thereafter, and a year-round cultural programming legacy continuing beyond 2028.
Central to the bid is transforming Holy Trinity’s bone crypt – one of only two remaining medieval ossuaries in England – into a heritage tourism destination comparable to European counterparts but intimately scaled.
The Rev Andy Giles from Holy Trinity Church said: “The bone crypt is internationally significant. Currently we offer tours October to March only.
“Town of Culture 2028 will enable year-round access with trained heritage guardians, professional interpretation, and artistic installations that explore themes of memory, mortality, and community. This is world-class heritage on Rothwell’s doorstep.”
Extensive community engagement, including 308 household responses to the Neighbourhood Plan consultation and 132 residents at the final consultation, has shown strong support for cultural development.
A spokesman for Rothwell Business Network CIC, which is launching next month, said: “Our high street is thriving – zero vacant units bucking national trends.
“Town of Culture 2028 will bring 50,000 additional visitors to benefit our restaurants, pubs and independent retailers. This isn’t culture versus economy – it’s culture driving economy.”
The CPD Group Ltd, one of Rothwell’s largest employers, has pledged support.
The annual Rowell Fair – celebrated continuously since 1204 – will be enhanced through Rowell Revelry, expanding the traditional weeklong celebration with contemporary artistic responses while preserving core traditions.
Bailff Frank Yorke said: “The 6am charter proclamation, Bailiff’s ride, halberdiers, and rum and milk tradition continue exactly as they have for 820 years.
“But we’ll invite national artists to respond to this living medieval tradition, sharing it with audiences who’ve never experienced anything like it.”
Jo Garner, clerk to Rothwell Town Council, said: “Most Town of Culture bids say ‘our high street is dying, culture will save it’.
“We’re saying our high street is thriving, our heritage is exceptional, our community delivers – culture will amplify all of that and create something nationally significant.”
The Department of Culture will announce shortlisted bids in the summer, with the winner announced next year.