5th November 2002

What happens next?…”

It is unfortunate that Norwich wasn't shortlisted, as being part of a competition is very good to focus peoples' energy, but it is not the end of the world, or of Norwich's ambition to promote itself as a city of culture and a top European cultural destination. On the day the shortlist was announced, Norwich was visited by Eddie Friel, chief Executive of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board who said that 'not being shortlisted doesn't matter one bit. All it does is act as a fast-track and Norwich should just continue what we were going to do anyway. You don't need anyone's permission to be a cultural city'. He is right and the difference is that we can start NOW, we don't have to wait until 2008.

But what about the money? This is a question lots of people have asked. One of the benefits of the Capital of Culture title is the finanicial advantages it brings to the region. Well, much of that revenue and increased trade and jobs is self-generating. If we build Norwich into a regional cultural capital and promote it as such across the UK and Europe, we can attract masses of visitors and therefore the business that comes with them. Because Norwich has got this far in the competition we have a very defined cultural pan in the form of the bid document and we have the ear of the government at the DCMS who have been impressed by our bid. The fact that Norwich was one of 12 cities to bid means that we can approach lottery and European funding with a very strong pitch behind us. Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council and East England Arts are all very Supportive of the plan to implement as much of the bid as possible, especially the infrastructure and legacy projects such as the improvements to St AndrewÕs Hall and the establishment of a city centre art gallery. There are now numerous people, both individuals and groups, who have come out in support of pushing Norwich forward as a cultural city and who are keen not to lose the momentum of the last year.

How can it be done? Many people are worried that without the focus of the bid process, the energy that has been generated will be lost and that things will just go back to where they were. Of course, there is a risk of this but it is up to everyone to make sure that doesn't happen. We want to make sure that public support continues and that Norwich has a cultural brand so the logo will be re-launched as Norwich Now - A Fine City of Culture so that people can use it and display their support on car windows, on printed brochures, banners, shop windows, everywhere in the same way as the bid logo was used.

Another vital channel of effort is through the network that was set up to support the bid process and to bring arts organisations together. It meets at the Playhouse on the 2nd Monday of every month at 6.30pm. It was always intended that the network would continue beyond the bid process and be widened to include individuals as well as organisations. This has happened and what was Network 2008 is being relaunched as Network Now. If you would like to receive an email newsletter and details of meetings from Network Now, please send your details to info@norwich2008.com.

As well as the network there are representatives from the major cultural organisations meeting to discuss the best way to secure funding to take forward major projects, and this site will report back progress. Also, the other cities that were not shortlisted have express a wish to form a network of cultural cities across the UK, and Norwich has invited them to get together in Norwich soon. Several of those who have been shortlisted, such as Newcastle and Bristol, have also said that they would like to work with all the bidding cities whatever the final outcome of the competition.

It will take a few weeks to regroup and re-direct our efforts but everyone that has been involved with the bid is keen to do just that. Watch this space for progress and changes. We still need your ideas, your input and your support.

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