Everton
Jamie Carragher has thrown his support behind Bootle’s bid to become the UK Town of Culture, aiming to foster more opportunities for local residents. The initiative, open to towns of various sizes, seeks to attract investment and enhance opportunities in the arts and culture sectors. A panel led by Sir Phil Redmond, creator of Brookside and Hollyoaks, will ultimately decide the winning town, granting approximately £3 million to fund a cultural program. Sefton Council has already announced its first set of ‘Bootle Bid Backers’, a group of local ambassadors committed to promoting the town’s cultural significance.
Jamie Carragher said: “There’s a lot going in Bootle now, and maybe after a little period of decline, it just feels like it’s getting back on its feet, and it just needs another push to get it back to where it was when I was a child. We’ve turned up here today because we’re really passionate about Bootle, and want to do as much as we possibly can to help it win the bid for Town of Culture. In this city and in this town, there is just so much talent, whether that’s football, the arts, culture, whatever it may be, and it just needs pushing, and it needs giving a platform. So with the Bootle bid, it’s all about opening up those opportunities so more and more people can achieve their dreams.”
Alex Greenwood said: “I’m really proud to be from Bootle, and I just want people to have the opportunity to go on and be whatever they want to be, whether it be in sport, in music, in art, or anything else. Bootle is a great place, and it has got massive potential. There’s so many young people here who have the capability to go on and do incredible things. I hope this bid will help with that, and if it’s successful, it will be massive for the Bootle.”
The event saw participation from notable Bootle figures, including Carl Hunter from The Farm and Fran Doran, lead singer of Red Rum Club, alongside Sefton Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration, Economy, and Skills, Cllr Paulette Lappin. Each ambassador expressed pride in their town and emphasized its suitability for the Town of Culture accolade. The council plans to appoint a total of ten ambassadors, collectively known as ‘Bootle Bid Backers’, who will champion the bid and support the delivery of a six-month cultural program in 2028.
This initiative not only aims to highlight Bootle’s cultural identity but also to provide a platform for its residents to showcase their talents across various fields, including sports, arts, and music. By securing the Town of Culture status, Bootle hopes to unlock its full potential and inspire its youth to pursue their dreams.
About The Author
