Warrington Council disappointed by outcome of failed city bid

The town was one of 39 places attempting to win the bid as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and while eight were successful, Warrington was not one of them.

Warrington had a similar failed attempt for the Millennium celebrations and spent £4,800 on this year’s bid, with council leader Russ Bowden saying city status would give a ‘platform for the town to be seen and recognised’.

Speaking about the failed bid, Cllr Bowden says it was a ‘celebration’ of the town, people and organisations it is home to, and that it shows vision for the future.

He said: “While it is disappointing that we have not been granted city status, we can look back with pride on our bid.

“It brought a range of partners together – including businesses, leisure and culture organisations and community groups – with a strong and collective ambition for Warrington.

“It was a really ambitious and celebratory bid and – city or not – it sets the foundations for Warrington’s shared plans and vision for the future.

“The competition was extremely tough – and we always knew that it would be – but we also knew that if we were unsuccessful, we would have something of real value to guide our future growth as a first-class destination.

“We want Warrington to be a place for everyone – to provide opportunities for our residents, to be an exciting and vibrant home for its current and future residents and businesses – and our bid reflected this mission.

Cllr Russ Bowden, leader of Warrington Borough Council (Image: .)

“We would like to congratulate the eight winning cities and all other competitors and recognise the immense honour it has been to take part in the competition as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

“This project, as I am sure will be reflected in all other places which entered, has rallied community spirit and civic pride across the borough.”

Stanley in the Falklands Islands is the first Overseas Territory to win the competition for city status, while Douglas on the Isle of Man also claimed the civic honour.

Bangor in Northern Ireland, along with Colchester, Doncaster and Milton Keynes in England, plus Dunfermline in Scotland and Wrexham in Wales, have also won the honour.

They are some of the places that ‘make Britain great’, according to Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay.

He said: “What was clear to me during the process of assessing each application was the pride that people felt for their communities, local cultural heritage and the Royal Family.

“As we celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's colossal contribution to society, I am thrilled that we are able to recognise some of the many places that make Britain great.

“It is also incredibly reflective of Her Majesty's global outlook and years of international service that applicants from the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies have been selected as winners for the first time.”