Havering has missed out on becoming the next London Borough of Culture.
Under the name Havering London, which was a collaboration of several organisations in the borough, Havering had made a bid for the title.
But London mayor Sadiq Khan has said Wandsworth will become London Borough of Culture in 2025 and then Haringey will take the title in 2027.
A consortium of more than 50 partners had come together for Havering’s bid, which was co-created with thousands of residents.
These included Havering Changing - a project promoting arts and culture, FUSE (a local cultural education partnership), Communicating Havering and Creative Health Havering.
Read More: Wandsworth named London Borough of Culture for 2025
As part of the borough of culture programme, which launched in 2017, the winning borough receives funding of more than £1.35million to create a year-long programme of activities that celebrates the “unique character of local people and places”.
David Shearing and Mathew Russell, co-chairs of Havering London, had previously said that their aim was to “put Havering firmly on the map of London”. Their vision was to transform Havering into “a hub of creative innovation”.
Despite losing out on the borough of culture title, Havering Council has said Havering London will continue to work with external funders to further a cultural programme that will "build on the London Borough of Culture application to help realise the cultural ambitions of the borough”.
Council leader Ray Morgon added that the bid has inspired “a sense of hope and optimism about culture in Havering”.
He said: “This process will open the door to even greater and better opportunities for residents to access and get involved in arts and culture in our borough.
“We are on a mission to improve social connectivity and promote greater physical and mental wellbeing for our residents.
“We want to keep the momentum gained to further develop culture in Havering and we hope everyone joins us on the exciting journey ahead.”
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