After successfully beating out more than 390 entries to make the final 15 shortlist, Corby is now in the running for the ultimate prize: a £3 million allocation to fund a vibrant, six-month cultural programme. Even if the town places as a runner-up, it would still receive a highly impactful £250,000 to bring elements of its creative vision to life.

Putting the Community at the Heart of the Bid

Following a crucial meeting between bid partners earlier this month, it was unanimously agreed that community engagement will be the driving force behind Corby's campaign.

To ensure the bid reflects the true spirit of the town, organisers are rolling out several initiatives to get local residents and students directly involved:

  • The Postcard Project: Launched recently in the town centre, a town-wide postcard initiative is asking residents and school pupils a simple question: “What do you love about Corby?” to capture local stories and aspirations.

  • Student-Led Design: Students from Tresham College and local sixth forms are being invited to design the official bid logo, placing the town's young creative talent front and centre.Showcasing Heritage: Plans are underway to develop a new film highlighting Corby’s unique identity, proud heritage, and future ambitions, backed by high-profile ambassadors with strong connections to the area.

“It was a really productive meeting and the work to make a strong bid for Corby is underway,”

said Cllr Simon Rielly, Leader of Corby Town Council.

“It will include opportunity for Corby people to get involved so watch this space for more details. There’s a lot of exciting strands to this and I’m looking forward to the great creativity that will come back as a result. Corby has a great chance of success.”

The Road to 2028

With Corby Town Council acting as the primary accountable body for the bid, partners are also exploring the creation of an independent charitable group to ensure the cultural investment leaves a long-term legacy for the whole of North Northants.

The pressure is now on to finalise the details, as the completed bid must be presented to organisers by 30 November, ahead of a highly anticipated visit from the judges in the New Year.

What do you love about Corby, and what kind of cultural events would you like to see if the town wins the £3m prize? Have your say and get in touch with our newsroom by emailing [email protected] or drop us a message on our social media pages.