Bradford Loses Bid To Host Great Exhibition Of The North 2018

Bradford has lost its bid to host the Great Exhibition of the North 2018 but has pledged the city's support to the winning Tyneside bid.

The Government selected Newcastle and Gateshead to host the major exhibition showcasing art, design and innovation from the north of England above three other shortlisted bidders - Sheffield, Bradford and Blackpool.

Former Chancellor George Osborne came up with the idea as part of his Northern Powerhouse package. As well as the £5m for the exhibition, the government has pledged £15m for a legacy fund, which will be open to cultural organisations across the North.

The Tyneside bid was declared the winner on the recommendation of the Great Exhibition Board chaired by Sir Gary Verity.

Sir Gary Verity said:

Newcastle-Gateshead put forward an exciting and innovative bid to host the Great Exhibition of the North. People from across the country can expect an amazing show in summer 2018.”

The Great Exhibition of the North will take place in Summer 2018 and will celebrate the creativity of Northern England, help boost investment and tourism in the region and leave a lasting cultural legacy.

Bidding to host the Great Exhibition of the North has according to those involved been an enormously positive experience for Bradford, attracting fantastic support from not only around the district but also other bidding towns and cities such as Whitehaven, St Helens and Calderdale, as well as others such as Leeds and York.

The social media spotlight on Bradford on 16 September galvanised support by attracting 1,300 messages and 975 images were posted on social media on the day highlighting the strengths and many unknown facts about Bradford. 

Despite losing out Bradford has pledged to help make the Great Exhibition of the North a success, by building on the huge support and excitement generated by the city’s bid. 

Bradford will build on the momentum of the bid by immediately forming a Board, working closely with partners drawn from the National Media Museum, University of Bradford, cultural organisations and businesses to plan with Newcastle-Gateshead, how Bradford will play its part and the strengths of our bid that we will take forward for summer 2018 to make the Great Exhibition of the North an unforgettable experience for all taking part.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council (pictured), said: “Obviously I am really disappointed that Bradford won’t be the host city for the Great Exhibition but we have a reputation for being a welcoming and friendly city and I think that makes us an excellent partner to support Newcastle-Gateshead in delivering the Great Exhibition of the North in 2018.”

“Being shortlisted showed that the judges agreed with us that Bradford has a wealth of design, technology and cultural excellence. The Government is the ultimate decision-maker in this competition and I know that this must have been a difficult decision to make. I do however want to thank everyone who participated in presenting Bradford’s case including the public who made sure that in social media terms Bradford’s bid generated the most mentions of all the cities who entered.”

Kersten England, Bradford Council Chief Executive, said: “Bradford is a strong economic and cultural force in the heart of the North of England. We are a modern and vibrant global city, looking forward to a fantastic summer in 2018 with the opening of the interactive Wonderlab Gallery at the National Media Museum and construction beginning on the National Rugby League Museum, which will be based in our magnificent City Hall."

“Bradford is home to many young, energetic and enterprising people. Together we   will capitalise on the opportunity the Great Exhibition of the North offers to create an innovative programme of satellite events and activities.”  

Bradford’s bid had the National Media Museum as the anchor for the exhibition with support from neighbouring venues including the University of Bradford, City Hall, St George’s Hall and the Alhambra Theatre.

Jo Quinton-Tulloch, Director at the National Media Museum, said: “I am extremely proud of how the people and institutions of Bradford came together to support our bid – and I am very confident that the creativity and positivity that went into it will be channelled into supporting Newcastle-Gateshead to show off the innovation and cultural vitality that exists across the whole of the North. The museum already has very exciting plans for 2017 with the opening of our world-class gallery, Wonderlab, and we look forward to playing our part in the Great Exhibition of the North in 2018 and beyond.”      

Professor Brian Cantor, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, said: “Bradford will support fully Newcastle-Gateshead and the Great Exhibition of the North. The University, in its 50^th anniversary year, is proud to be an integral part of one of Europe’s most diverse and multicultural cities, with a well-educated, cosmopolitan workforce that will continue to grow, based on fast-growing sectors including  information technology, digital industries, environmental technologies, cultural, and advanced healthcare, all of which the University is involved with.”