Strabane welcomes panel chair Sir Phil Redmond as Town of Culture bid enters final stages
13 October 2026
Strabane rolled out the red carpet for a visit by UK Town of Culture Expert Advisory Panel Chair Sir Phil Redmond CBE, as the town steps up its efforts to secure the first-ever UK Town of Culture title in 2028.
Strabane rolled out the red carpet for a visit by UK Town of Culture Expert Advisory Panel Chair Sir Phil Redmond CBE, as the town steps up its efforts to secure the first-ever UK Town of Culture title in 2028.
The high-profile visit comes as the bid team develops the comprehensive final bid, which is due for submission in November. The town of Strabane captured national attention earlier this year when it was named among the final shortlist of 15 towns and is the only town in Northern Ireland in the running.
Sir Phil Redmond is a playwright and screenwriter and the creative force behind iconic television dramas including Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks, who was the instigator of the UK City of Culture competition and has been the chairperson the UK City of Culture Independent Advisory Panel since its inception. He visited Strabane this week to experience at first-hand the community spirit, local talent and rich heritage driving the campaign.
During a packed programme across the town, he met a broad cross-section of people involved in community development, arts and culture, heritage, education and youth engagement, local business, music and the creative industries, as well as the Mayor and Council representatives. The visit provided an opportunity to hear directly about the people, projects and organisations contributing to life in Strabane and the role culture and creativity can play in its future.
Sir Phil’s itinerary also allowed him to sample some of Strabane’s history and heritage, grassroots community activity and local creative talent. He met local artists and young people, heard from representatives of the business community, and received an insight into future development and regeneration ambitions for the town.
Following November's submission, the competition will narrow down further in January when the final three towns are selected. The full judging panel will then visit those three locations before the official winner is announced in March 2027. The winning town will receive a £3 million prize, with the two runners-up receiving £250,000 each.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, said she was delighted to welcome Sir Phil and thanked him for taking the time to experience first-hand what Strabane has to offer and the potential impact that securing the Town of Culture title could have on the local community.
She said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase Strabane and introduce Sir Phil directly to the people who are pouring their hearts, energy and creativity into this bid. What really came across during the visit was the breadth of people supporting Strabane’s ambitions, from our community and voluntary sector and local businesses to artists, young people and those working across culture, heritage and regeneration. There is a real sense of pride and ambition around this campaign, and we were delighted to give Sir Phil an opportunity to experience that for himself. We are more determined than ever to put forward a strong and compelling case for Strabane.”
Sir Phil Redmond CBE, Chair of the UK Town of Culture Expert Advisory Panel, said: “I’d like to thank, and congratulate, everyone who made the visit, and the craic, so enjoyable and informative. Arriving to see The Tinnies dressed for Halloween until leaving the young musicians in The Farmers House, the level of enthusiasm, energy, creativity and ambition, across all ages. was infectious. I look forward to receiving the full bid, while the scones at Grass Roots were worth a trip in themselves!”
With the final submission deadline fast approaching in November, the Council continues to call on residents, artists and businesses to get behind the campaign. Anyone looking to share creative ideas or support the bid can contact the local team via email at [email protected].
For more information on the Strabane Town of Culture bid visit Strabane Town of Culture and follow us on our social media pages - https://www.facebook.com/strabanetownofculture/ and Instagram @strabanetownofculture
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