Bidding to become UK City of Culture 2025 is a huge opportunity that will transform Southampton. New tourism and investment will lift our economy and deliver jobs. Southampton will become a city where people want to work; a city that attracts talent and expertise to our local businesses. As a city we will gain confidence, add value to our community services, build tourism and become recognised as a hub for art. When Hull became City of Culture in 2017, £300 million was added to their tourism market and almost £17 million to their local economy. Southampton has so much to gain. As we bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, we want to stand up for all the things that Southampton should be proud of. From the walls, to the water, our universities, hospitals, outstanding art collections and the welcome visitors receive, Southampton has what it takes. Southampton’s people and diverse communities are what make our city so unique and such an exciting place to be. We are a city where music, sports, dance, arts, and theatres define our heritage. Now is our time to shout about our great city and all that happens here. We are home to the might Saints, and we march on together. UK City of Culture is a designation given to a city in the United Kingdom for a period of one year. The competition is administered by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and has a panel of independent judges. The delivery of the bid will be led by the Southampton 2025 Trust working with partners and stakeholders from across Southampton and the wider region.