CHESTER is to bid for the coveted British City of Culture title in 2017.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has already registered its expression of interest and – if shortlisted – will submit a detailed bid by September 30 this year.

The authority is hoping that its £50m-plus investment in culture, supported by the city’s increasing popular arts and festivals programme, will help Chester to claim the City of Culture prize.

Derry, in Northern Ireland, was the first UK city to win the award in 2009.

It was revealed the next UK City of Culture will need to:

Deliver a high-quality year-long cultural programme that expands on local strengths and assets and reaches a wide variety of audiences over the course of the year.

Deliver a programme that uses culture and creativity to lead to lasting social regeneration.

Create a demonstrable economic impact from the programme, through investment and innovation in culture and creativity.

Phil Redmond, chairman of the awards Independent Advisory Panel, said: “UK City of Culture is more than just a title.

“It’s a focus, a rallying cry, a call to action, an opportunity to create and innovate, to build a local pride, to show the world who you are and what you can do.”

Cllr Stuart Parker, executive member, culture and recreation, explained why he felt Chester was a strong contender in the award bid.

He said: “Cheshire West and Chester is one of the very few councils in Britain making major investment in its culture infrastructure.

“By 2017 the authority will be aiming to showcase a major new theatre, the refurbished Grosvenor Park and new performance venues in Northwich.

“And you can add to that the success of Chester’s Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre together with its music, literature and lifestyle festivals which are growing from strength to strength.”

If the city is shortlisted council chiefs will be working hard to create an exciting programme of culture activities before making a final bid for the title by the end of September.

The Department For Culture, Media and Sport plans to announce the shortlist by the end of June and the winner by November 30 this year.