Sentinel Comment: Let's get on culture map

T HE best part of a decade ago, there was a city councillor who floated the idea that the local authority should bid for Stoke-on-Trent to become a European City of Culture. There was some sniggering at the thought and the notion quickly fell by the wayside. Yet if the late councillor, Tony Pattie, were alive today, he would recognise his idea in today's newspaper, albeit in a slightly amended form. Stoke-on-Trent Council is planning to submit a bid to become the British City of Culture in 2017, if the Government goes through with its idea to create the award, modelled on the well-known European City of Culture concept. We accept there's a few ifs and buts in there – certainly ample to give the naysayers enough ammunition with which to scoff. But why not? You could even ask, why doesn't the council think about going for the European City of Culture nomination itself?

G aining even British status would bring jobs, investment, tourism and a reputation boost that would stand us in good stead for years. Some might say the city is too small for such an award, but never mind the size, feel the quality. If Staffordshire styles itself the creative county, then Stoke-on-Trent is its very heart. There are performing and static arts here of every shape and hue, plus two world-class museums on our doorstep. People said Stoke City being in the Premier League would provide a huge boost to the city. It did and it will. But this could be the next big thing to focus on above the day-to-day travails of making Stoke-on-Trent a better place. Let's concentrate on the reasons why this might be possible, rather than putting ourselves off before we've even begun.