THE Borderlands will not be the UK’s next City of Culture after a bid failed to progress to the ‘longlist’ stage.

The region – made up of the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Carlisle City, Cumbria and Northumberland – was one of 20 applicants to make it to the next round.

However, the Borderlands was not one of the eight named on the longlist, according to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

SOSE Chair, Professor Russel Griggs OBE, and Chair of the Borderlands City of Culture Steering Group said: “While disappointed that we have not made the 2025 UK City of Culture longlist, it has still been a thoroughly worthwhile exercise.

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“It has helped showcase our passion and ambition to the rest of the country, particularly around the twin crisis of biodiversity loss and climate change.

“We pass on our congratulations and good luck to those areas and places who successfully made the 2025 UK City of Culture longlist.”

The eight regions to have made it are Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon; Bradford; Cornwall; County Durham; Derby; Southampton; Stirling; and Wrexham County Borough.

The winner will be announced in spring, 2022.