The team behind Dundee’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2017 touch down in Derry-Londonderry today to make their case for the crown, with the united backing of the Scottish Parliament behind them.
MSPs unanimously voted in favour of supporting the city’s quest to pip Swansea Bay, Leicester and Hull to the title during a rare consensual debate at Holyrood on Tuesday.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop, who led proceedings on behalf of the Scottish Government, said winning the status could mean the equivalent of 1,000 full-time jobs being created in the city and hailed “impressive” economic benefits for Dundee if it is awarded the title.
Dundee’s bid is “based on the strength of the creative and culture sectors of the city”.
The bid is also based on its “vision of encouraging discovery, regeneration and transformation”, Ms Hyslop said.
Dundee-based Labour list MSP Jenny Marra said the city has already witnessed “the transformative effects that cultural change can bring”.
She added: “We know that with a well thought out and well-funded plan for 2017 … City of Culture will make a difference.”
Conservative culture spokeswoman Liz Smith praised The Courier for its work backing the bid and said the public’s enthusiasm could also be vital to Dundee emerging victorious next Wednesday.
“I don’t think there can be any doubt at all about the extraordinary transformation which is taking place within the city of Dundee,” Ms Smith said.
The Courier is with the bid team in Northern Ireland. Look out for full coverage in print and online.