City of Wrexham! Wrexham wins City Status bid

Wrexham has been awarded City Status.

The county borough is among eight winners selected for city status as part of June’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and is one of the biggest announcements for the area of its nature since 1857 when the town was formally incorporated via Charter.

The competition to receive civic honours was last run ten years ago to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

This year for the first time ever the competition for city status was open to applications from the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, with the Falklands’ Stanley and Douglas of the Isle of Man among the winners.

Eight places won the royal honour this year ahead of the Jubilee weekend, the highest number of awards in a single competition:

• Wrexham, Wales
• Bangor, Northern Ireland
• Colchester, England
• Doncaster, England
• Douglas, Isle of Man
• Dunfermline, Scotland
• Milton Keynes, England
• Stanley, Falkland Islands

The Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours Competition required applicants to demonstrate how their unique communities and distinct local identity meant they deserved to be awarded city status.

They were also required to highlight their royal associations and cultural heritage.

Today’s announcement is that Wrexham becomes Wales’ latest city, however until letters patent are issued the process is not formal. That is expected later this year via a possibly royal visit, with the letters patent ‘being prepared’.

A bid for city status was put forward by Wrexham Council in December 2021.

The then administration claimed that being awarded city status would give an increased sense of local pride, a focus for future branding and marketing campaigns, more potential to attract major projects, provide opportunities for local institutions and businesses to raise their profile and attract investment and give potential to attract skilled and ambitious students, employees and investors to Wrexham.

A formal statement on how the local authority will maximise the benefits of this accolade after a new political administration is formed on Wednesday, May 25 (following the recent local council elections).

Commenting on the announcement, Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton said: “When I was elected in 2019, I pledged to put Wrexham on the map.

“I am thrilled that the Queen and the UK government have recognised Wrexham’s potential, ambition, and contribution to our Union.

“Gaining city status will amplify local pride and has the potential to attract inward investment and local infrastructure.

“I am excited to embrace all the opportunities that will come Wrexham’s way.

“This is not a time for people to suppress Wrexham, it’s now time to celebrate Wrexham.”

Lesley Griffiths MS said: “Wrexham being granted city status offers Wrexham Council, who have driven this process in partnership with the UK Government, the chance to build on our status as the largest town in North Wales.

“I know there are mixed views amongst my constituents and the Local Authority must seize the opportunities this presents, make it a success and prove to the people of Wrexham why it was a cause worth pursuing.

“Wrexham has a rich heritage but should also be ambitious for its future. Our region has a lot to be proud of and I hope the new title will help us continue to prosper, providing a boost for our communities, attracting additional investment and benefiting our economy.”

Council Leader Mark Pritchard welcomed the historic news, “It’s fantastic news that Wrexham has been awarded city status, it is a recognition and celebration of what Wrexham County Borough has achieved through its history, institutions and places. It is also widely recognising Wrexham’s significant contribution to society and cultural infrastructure in Wales, UK and the World.

“City Status will be one of the tools at our disposal to strengthen the well-being, identity and pride in the Country Borough and support the delivery of several place making strategies directed at promoting Wrexham’s community on a regional and national scale.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Executive Board members the alliance and everyone who supported the submission of the bid for City Status.”

Clwyd South MP, Simon Baynes said: “This is excellent news for the town of Wrexham, the wider County Borough, and North Wales as a whole. Wrexham has, of course, made several bids for City Status in the past, so I’m extremely happy to hear that we have been successful and will be awarded full City Status for the County Borough.

 “Wrexham and Clwyd South’s strong cultural identity, as well as its status as an industrial and commercial hub, mean that we are well placed to reap the benefits of City Status, and I am particularly excited about the opportunity this gives us to celebrate the amazing history, language and culture of our part of Wales and share them with a wider audience.”

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “Wrexham has a wonderful history and an exciting future and I am absolutely delighted to see it awarded city status as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

“There is already much for Wrexham to be proud of and I hope city status will bring further recognition for everything the community has to offer and brings further opportunities for Wrexham’s prosperity and growth.”

Coleg Cambria Chief Executive Yana Williams, said: “Congratulations to Wrexham on achieving city status and well done to everyone who worked so tirelessly to deliver it.

“As a major employer and educational leader in the region, Coleg Cambria will play its part in ensuring this historic moment brings about sustainable economic, social and cultural benefits for the community for generations to come.”