'UK City of Culture will encourage us to celebrate what makes Portsmouth distinctive and feel proud of where we live'
As the deadline fast approaches for official expressions of interest to be UK City of Culture 2029, The News has another view from the community on what winning would mean for Portsmouth. Today Jatin Patel, President of Portsmouth Asian Social Cultural Organisation, shares his thoughts.
Supporting Portsmouth’s UK City of Culture bid is an investment in the social, cultural, and economic future of a city and our community. At its core, the bid is not simply about securing a title for one year, but about articulating a shared vision for what a city is, what it stands for, and what it can become. When a community comes together to support such a bid, it sends a powerful message of ambition, unity and confidence in its collective identity to the rest of the UK.
Winning UK City of Culture brings tangible and lasting benefits. Previous host cities have seen increased cultural participation, inward investment, tourism growth, and new opportunities for skills development and employment. However, the most profound impact is often felt at community level. The process of bidding and, ultimately, winning creates a platform for people from different neighbourhoods, backgrounds, and generations to work together towards a common goal. It unites communities that may not otherwise have had the opportunity to collaborate, smooths connection and provides a shared purpose across a city.
Placing culture at the heart of everything
A successful bid will place culture at the heart of everyday life. It will recognise that culture is not confined to traditional venues or institutions, but lives in local stories, heritage, creativity, and lived experience. Supporting the bid means recognising the value of grassroots activity alongside established cultural organisations. As part of the bidding consultation process, we have had the opportunity for communities to shape the responses, ensuring it reflects the diversity, our unique story, and voices of the city as a whole. In doing so, it empowers people to see themselves not just as audiences, but as contributors and creators.
Crucially, Portsmouth’s UK City of Culture bid is an opportunity for everyone to champion civic pride. It will encourage residents to look again at their city, to celebrate what makes it distinctive, and to feel proud of where they live. Civic pride is a powerful driver of positive change: when people feel proud of their city, they are more likely to care for it, advocate for it, and invest their time and energy in its future. The bid provides a shared narrative that communities can rally behind, strengthening a sense of belonging and ownership.
The legacy of becoming UK City of Culture extends far beyond the award year. It can transform how a city is perceived, both externally and internally, challenging outdated stereotypes and showcasing new stories of innovation, resilience and creativity. For local people, this shift in perception can be transformative, reinforcing confidence and aspiration, particularly among young people who see new possibilities for their future at home rather than elsewhere.
Supporting the bid also demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and equity. A strong UK City of Culture programme would prioritise access, participation and representation, ensuring that benefits are felt across all communities, not just in certain parts of the city or by those already engaged in cultural life. It creates opportunities for learning, volunteering and skills development that can have long-term social impact.
People make Pompey!
Ultimately, Portsmouth’s UK City of Culture bid is about coming together as one city, Team Portsmouth. It is a collective endeavour that asks communities to believe in their shared potential and to work collaboratively towards a common ambition. By supporting the bid, communities play an active role in shaping a future that is confident, connected and proud. It is a moment to stand together, champion civic pride and show that the city’s greatest strength lies in its people. People make our city, People make Pompey!
It's so nice living in Portsmouth after moving from London in 1991. The local people were so warm, friendly and accommodating. I never felt an outsider especially being of an Indian descent.
Even now, I feel that I belong to the local community and am proud to be a Portsmouth resident. We are so proud that we have a vast cross community living side by side. You can feel that during the summer months walking along the seafront especially by Eastney.
I am proud to call Pompey my home.
A little bit about me
My name is Jatin Patel, aged 67,married and originally from Harare, Zimbabwe. I moved to London in 1979 and came to Portsmouth in 1991, where I established a newsagents in Guildhall walk. I was on various boards: Portsmouth Multi Cultural Organisation, National Federation of Retail Newsagents, Chairperson of both Portsmouth Race Equality Network Organisation and Portsmouth Racial Harassment Forum and I am currently President of Portsmouth Asian Social Cultural Organisation. I currently work for Portsmouth City Council.
Back the bid
The News is officially backing Portsmouth's bid for UK City of Culture 2029 seeing it as a chance to ignite civic pride, strengthen community connection, generate economic growth and raise the city's profile. Community consultation has been happening across the city ahead of the submission of an initial expression of interest on Sumday. City’s chosen for the longlist will receive £60,000 to submit a full bid in the summer. The winning city will be chosen at the end of the year and be given £10m to deliver its cultural celebration in 2029.
The success of past winners like Bradford 2025 shows the benefits: millions of attendees to events, huge media coverage, thousands of volunteers and artists involved, significant investment in local groups and a boost to pride in the city.