Public responds with wide-ranging proposals as Lerwick eyes Town of Culture prize
Residents and visitors have offered a wide array of proposals for Lerwick’s campaign to become the UK’s first Town of Culture, with ideas ranging from an outdoor pavilion and a permanent programme of public art to fashion shows, music events and an ambitious dry ski slope.
The shortlist, announced in July, is now being followed by a public survey conducted by Shetland Arts that asked people what they would like to see happen if Lerwick wins a £3 million award to deliver a cultural programme in 2028. Early responses, published by Shetland Arts, show contributors thinking on a large scale and imagining new uses for familiar town spaces.
Suggestions published by Shetland Arts covered practical proposals for existing streets and piers as well as ideas that would create new attractions. A number of submissions focused on invigorating Commercial Street as a hub for street-based culture, while others proposed maritime and heritage-led attractions that reflect Shetland’s links with Norway and its island history.
- Outdoor pavilion and pop-up performance spaces on the harbour and pier
- Transforming Commercial Street into a venue for live music, art and food
- Shetland fashion week featuring locally made designs
- Dry ski slope for year-round tubing and sledging
- Heritage reinterpretation through public performance and a ‘story ship’
- Permanent outdoor sculptures to provide a lasting legacy
“I would like to really focus on the street and make it more vibrant in terms of art installations, interactive elements, make it a destination in itself.”
Many suggestions emphasise making culture visible and accessible in everyday public spaces. Proposals such as turning Commercial Street into a more interactive, arts-led destination or installing a legacy of public sculpture reflect a desire for lasting change rather than short-term events. Others aim to draw new audiences by putting larger, headline acts in Lerwick and staging family-friendly festivals on the pier.
There is also a clear strand of ideas that seek to root any programme in Shetland’s identity. Submissions included a proposal for a Shetland–Norway cultural gathering in Lerwick harbour to celebrate historical ties across the North Sea, and plans to use folklore and art alongside scientific partnerships to raise awareness of marine wildlife.
| Idea | Potential local benefit |
|---|---|
| Outdoor pavilion / pier festivals | Year-round performance space, increased visitor footfall |
| Commercial Street as cultural venue | Revitalised town centre economy, new public realm |
| Dry ski slope | Recreational attraction, broader visitor offer |
| Story ship and heritage performances | Tourism tied to local history, educational value |
Shetland Arts said the early responses demonstrated “just how big people are willing to think”. The organisation has not made decisions on which ideas will form part of a final bid; the survey is intended to help shape a programme that reflects local priorities if Lerwick secures the Town of Culture award.
For Lerwick, winning the designation would mean a concentrated cultural programme delivered in 2028 backed by the £3 million fund. The contest and the public consultation underline a wider conversation about how culture can drive economic and social renewal in small towns, and how an island community like Lerwick might balance tourism opportunities with preserving local character.
As the bid progresses, attention will turn to how feasible larger capital projects are, whether new or adapted buildings would be needed, and how any programme could leave long-term benefits for residents as well as visitors. The breadth of responses so far suggests the town’s cultural imagination is active, with many contributors keen to see lasting change rather than one-off events.
Further details on the survey and the next steps for Lerwick’s bid will be made available by Shetland Arts as the consultation closes and plans are refined ahead of the final submission process.
