Wandsworth will be the next London Borough of Culture, starting from April 2025.
The south London borough is the latest to win the accolade, following on from the current culturalists of Croydon. In a double-header announcement, it was revealed that Haringey would follow on as London Borough of Culture from 2027. Previous Boroughs of Culture were Waltham Forest in 2019, Brent in a Covid-ridden 2020, and Lewisham in 2022.
What does it mean? Wandsworth and Haringey will get £1.35 million each from City Hall to help 'illuminate the character and diversity' of the boroughs. That means special events, concerts and perhaps a few novelty tube roundels.
It's not a lot of money, but it has proved worthwhile beyond the short-term. The new Soho Theatre in Walthamstow, for example, was borne of Waltham Forest's tenure as 2019 Borough of Culture, while the reopening of the Broadway Theatre in Lewisham was also helped by the initiative. Certainly, local councils are keen to be on the shortlist. Barnet, Ealing, Greenwich, Hammersmith and Fulham, Havering, Merton and Newham all applied this time round.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "This prestigious award has become a cornerstone in the capital's calendar, using the power of culture to unite communities, transform young people's lives and boost the local economy."
Wandsworth includes such cultural powerhouses as Battersea Arts Centre and the Royal College of Art, while Battersea Park was one of the key venues for the 1951 Festival of Britain. There's much to celebrate in the borough and we look forward to hearing more about their plans for 2025 — the 60th anniversary of Greater London and the 32 boroughs.
