Harrogate Town Council is to spend £10,000 formulating a bid to enter the first-ever UK Town of Culture competition.

The Stray Ferret revealed on Monday (February) the council was considering submitting a bid. Last night (February 4) councillors voted unanimously in favour of the idea.

The Liberal Democrat-controlled council will now allocate £10,000 on a specialist project manager to develop an expression of interest before the March 31 deadline.

Clerk Iona Taylor, mayor Chris Aldred and Councillor Paula Stott, chair of the finance and general purposes committee, were delegated to appoint a project manager and oversee progress.

Cllr Aldred (High Harrogate ward) said he had received overwhelmingly positive feedback to the idea and “it would be an opportunity missed if Harrogate doesn’t have an entry”.

Cllr Josie Craven (Kingsley ward) said it could “raise Harrogate’s profile nationally and internationally”, which would help businesses, and Cllr Graham Dixon (Harlow ward) said it was “common sense” to enter.

The government hopes the scheme will build on the UK City of Culture initiative, which was introduced in 2009 and seen winning cities Derry/Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford each enjoy a year in the cultural spotlight.

There are categories for large, medium and small towns. Harrogate is the only town in North Yorkshire eligible for the large town category, last night’s meeting heard.

The overall winner will receive £3 million and two runners-up will receive investment worth £250,000 each.

Each shortlisted town will receive £60,000 to work up full bids. A panel chaired by Sir Phil Redmond will then select three finalists.