Rawtenstall is officially in the running to become UK Town of Culture 2028, and we’re proud to be putting our borough on a national stage.
There’s plenty to be proud of across Rossendale, and this first step in the competition is a chance to celebrate that. Our expression of interest has now been submitted to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), showcasing the heritage, creativity and community spirit that make Rawtenstall such a standout place.
To support the entry, we created a digital postcard capturing a snapshot of what makes the town special. It’s now live on the UK Town of Culture Digital Map, where towns across the country are sharing their own stories, ambitions and local pride. You can explore the map and see Rawtenstall’s postcard alongside all the other submissions here:
Please note - To see a town’s postcard, click the icons on the map. This will show the front postcard image, with corresponding text underneath.
This is just the beginning of the process, but it’s a moment worth celebrating. It reflects the work happening across teams, the passion of our communities, and the identity that makes Rawtenstall, and Rossendale, somewhere people feel proud to call home.