Grimsby shows 'creative energy' to Sir Phil Redmond

15 minutes ago

Lara King,in Grimsbyand

Eleanor Maslin,East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Sir Phil Redmond was given a Viking welcome when he arrived in Grimsby on Monday

BBC A woman dressed in a mayoral outfit with a red robe and black hat with a golden chain around her neck and remembrance poppy is smiling next to a man in the middle with white hair and a black suit, who also has a poppy on his blazer. Next to him is another man with long grey hair and a beard holding up a sword and colourful shield. Signs behind them read GY28 Grimsby with a QR code. — Sir Phil Redmond was given a Viking welcome when he arrived in Grimsby on Monday

Brookside creator Sir Phil Redmond has spent the day in Grimsby after it was shortlisted to become the UK Town of Culture in 2028.

Redmond, who was also behind Hollyoaks and Grange Hill, is one of the judges of the Town of Culture competition.

Bid officials said he got a "snapshot of the creative energy" in the town when he was given a Viking welcome outside the Town Hall on Monday, before being taken to various sites including Grimsby Docks, Horizon Youth Zone and The Hive.

Redmond, who had never visited the town before, said: "It's not part of the actual judging process. I just wanted to come [to Grimsby] and say thanks to everybody for taking part."

The historic seaport town is one of 15 places to have made the list, alongside other large towns including Basildon, Birkenhead and Rotherham.

The bid has to be submitted by 30 November, with the winner due to be announced in March 2027.

Sir Phil Redmond is one of the judges the Town of Culture competition which Grimsby has been shortlisted for

Several women and men are sat on a coach smiling and holding up signs which say I'm backing GY28. — Sir Phil Redmond is one of the judges the Town of Culture competition which Grimsby has been shortlisted for

Redmond said he was met with a "level of enthusiasm" when he got to Grimsby.

He said: "No matter what happens with the final result it will bring people together.

"It's not just about the area itself, it's about bringing people together and seeing what they can do and achieve."

Paula Denton is the chief executive of Our Big Picture, an arts and heritage organisation on the high street.

She said it was "brilliant" that Redmond had decided to visit the town in person.

"It's the people, he needs to come and chat, have a natter and have a cup of tea.

"Come and see the history and our buildings but actually the people and that determination. We absolutely want this and we deserve it."

Sir Phil Redmond was taken to places such as Grimsby Docks, Docks Beers and CARE Hub

A man with white hair and glasses is looking curiously to the side. He is wearing a black blazer coat and holding a black stick. A man in a white helmet and high vis is looking at him and speaking as he gestures towards a building with scaffolding on it. — Sir Phil Redmond was taken to places such as Grimsby Docks, Docks Beers and CARE Hub

Marian Boyd, mayor of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "He's great and he's listened to all sorts of people this morning.

"We're delighted and we're all keeping our fingers crossed."

Charlotte Bowen, director of arts organisation The Culture House and co-creative lead for the bid, added: "He's had a very brief but good snapshot of the creative energy, the community representation and business sector."

"It's about bringing that to life a bit and not just assessing it by the words on paper.

"I'm very confident we have a strong unique bid that is unmistakably Grimsby."

The winner will receive £3m for a six-month cultural programme in 2028, while two runners-up will receive £250,000 each.

Grimsby made the shortlist out of almost 400 entries across the UK.

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