Southend-on-Sea stands proud of its dynamic cultural position, which has been strengthened by its bid to be the first UK City of Culture in 2013.

The town submitted a bid last Autumn to be considered for the title, and was one of 14 very strong contenders.

This proposal focused on Southend's position as a seaside resort, and the bid reflected the wide offer of beaches, Pier and coastline. It highlighted the strength of accessible culture across the town and its hinterland.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Culture, Councillor Derek Jarvis said: "Southend's many different cultural and artistic partners crucially contributed to the initial bid, which was very impressive. This joint working has further developed our unity of purpose. The cultural future aspirations of Southend have been strengthened and reinforced as a result of bidding to become the UK City of Culture 2013.

"The town's own regeneration programme has placed culture at the heart of all its work, and the bid drew attention to the town's achievements to date, the key development of the work of Metal in the town, and the emerging and growing clusters of young professional artists.

"Several major capital projects have seen much investment - including Southend Pier,
regeneration schemes like City Beach, Prittlewell Priory, Victoria Gateway, and the new Swimming and Diving Pool at Garon Park.

As a result of the bidding process, a programme of events and activities has been compiled, which will be considered for future promotion. These include: a Literary Festival of the Sea; Expansion of the popular Village Green event; Learning Town project between Southend Education Trust andMetal;T emporary Arts Projects (building upon the success of TAP and CoExist); Digital Exploration Centre.

The shortlisted places for the UK City of Culture title were: Norwich, Londonderry, Birmingham and Sheffield.

Southend-based international Jazz star, Digby Fairweather said: "It's a truism that every worthwhile achievement takes time. And it's only over the last decade that Southend has begun to throw off its merry image of a seaside resort celebrated for cockles' mussels, the Kursaal and its 'Golden Mile' and begun to look more closely at its full cultural potentials.

"Every new development which has resulted promises wonders - a new town gateway and trail, state-of -the-art university and college, revolutionary museum, newly-built library and restored Art Gallery and Priory plus exciting plans for redevelopment of the whole town centre to contemporary architectural principles. All of these promise that - if not this time - Southend-on-Sea is unquestionably high on a shortlist for 'City of Culture' as the new century progresses."

Jude Kelly, founder and chair of Metal, and Artistic Director of the South Bank Centre said: The process of bidding to become UK City of Culture has created some really exciting ideas and partnerships - the momentum has begun, and people's imagination's are fired. Let's make sure we do it anyway and build a great future for culture in Southend. I am very much looking forward to being part of that future."

Jan Hodges, Principal and Chief Executive of South Essex College of Further & Higher Education, said: "It's testament to the wide mix of arts and culture on offer in Southend that we have come so close to winning this prestigious title. In particular, we're proud of the cultural contribution from the many students and graduates who launch their own successful artistic endeavours every year in and around Southend.

"The College also continues to promote and celebrate the town's talent with our very own Southend Festival which, now in its eighth year, mixes established artists & performers with the next generation of talent in student shows ranging from Fine Art and Photography to Film, Fashion, Journalism and Performance."