Shepton Mallet misses out on culture shortlist

By Laura Linham 13th Jul 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 13th Jul 2026

Shepton Mallet has missed out on the shortlist to become the UK's first Town of Culture in 2028. The town was one of nine places across the Somerset Council area that applied for the new honour but failed to make the 15-name shortlist.

Bridgwater, Taunton, Watchet, Wells, Yeovil, Bruton, Glastonbury, Frome and Shepton Mallet all missed out. More than 400 towns applied for the title, which is similar to the established UK City of Culture scheme but aimed at smaller communities.

The shortlist includes Ilfracombe, Sandown, Pontypridd, Port Talbot, Birkenhead, Grimsby and Rotherham. Each shortlisted place will now receive £60,000 to develop a full bid before three winners are chosen early next year.

The final overall winner from those three finalists will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028. The winning town will receive a £3m grant to host cultural events.

Giles Adams, from Visit Somerset, said it was frustrating that no places across the West Country had been shortlisted.

"It's frustrating," he said. "With respect to those towns selected, I don't want to appear sour but it does strike me that there is a focus on the north and the south west misses out."

"I think with these big competitions, there are very corporate and it always felt like things would be given to more northern town," he added.

Other West Country places, including Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare, Filton, Emersons Green, Corsham and Nailsea, were also unsuccessful.

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said she was glad so many towns had applied. She said every town, whether shortlisted or not, should be proud of the work done to champion its local community.