This week marks one of the most uplifting moments since we took office, a real statement of pride, ambition and confidence in Swindon’s future. We have announced two landmark initiatives that speak directly to the kind of administration we are: optimistic, forward‑looking, community‑rooted and absolutely committed to improving the lives of local residents.
On Monday, we formally launched Swindon’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2029, a moment that brought together organisations from every corner of our cultural community. The bid was unveiled at the historic Carriage Works and has already drawn enthusiastic support from partners including Swindon Music Service, Swindon Heritage Preservation, the Swindon Festival of Literature, Wyvern Theatre, Zurich Community Trust and Swindon Youth Voice.
Their message was clear: “We’re backing the bid!” — and their energy reflects a town that knows the power of creativity to shape opportunity for the next generation. Young producers from the Signal Festival spoke about what this means for emerging local talent, reinforcing the deep roots of culture across our communities.
Securing the City of Culture title is not just about celebration; it is about transformation. Previous winners such as Derry/Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford have seen stronger communities, increased investment, and a major boost to local pride. A successful bid would bring up to £10 million of investment to deliver a year‑long programme of arts, heritage and cultural activity — unlocking new possibilities for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
What stands out most is that this bid isn’t built on aspiration alone: it reflects the thriving cultural scene Swindon already enjoys, from our festivals like Swindon MELA, Swindon Paint Fest, Signal Festival and the Festival of Tomorrow, to nationally recognised institutions like Create Studios, Prime Theatre, Swindon Dance and Tangle Theatre. Just this weekend, we have the Swinterfest 2026 taking place!
Our message is simple: Swindon is ready to celebrate who we are — thinkers, makers, learners and doers — and to tell our story on a national stage.
Alongside our cultural ambition, we also marked a major step forward in how we support residents day‑to‑day. We have launched plans for four new Community Hubs, designed to bring vital preventative services directly into neighbourhoods across Swindon. These hubs will be co‑designed with residents, community organisations and public‑sector partners — recognising that each community has its own needs, strengths and priorities
This is about making it easier for people to get the right help at the right time. By bringing multiple services under one roof — from housing and homelessness prevention to employment support, youth services, health and wellbeing advice, and financial guidance including Citizens Advice Swindon — residents will no longer need to navigate complex systems or repeat their story over and over.
The hubs sit at the heart of our long‑term shift to a prevention‑first approach. Early support saves money, strengthens outcomes and ensures people get help before issues escalate. The first hubs will open in February and March in existing well‑used community locations and library buildings, chosen based on local need and demand.
This is what positive leadership looks like: not just managing challenges but creating opportunities; not just reacting to problems, but preventing them; not just talking about pride in our town, but demonstrating it through action.
Swindon deserves a future that reflects its creativity, its resilience and its potential. These announcements take us a huge step closer and I couldn’t be prouder of the journey we’re on together.