The Corn Hall in Diss has teamed up with Beccles, Bungay, Eye, Halesworth, and Harleston to submit a joint Expression of Interest for the UK Town of Culture competition.

Lee Johnson is the operations manager at The Corn Hall and is helping lead the collaborative bid.

Lee Johnson is the operations manager at Diss Corn Hall and is heading the joint bid (Image: Submitted)

Mr Johnson said: "The Expression of Interest for Six Towns, One Heart was submitted on time, and we are now waiting, fingers firmly crossed, to hear whether we progress to the next round.

"What was abundantly clear is the strength of the emerging partnership between the artistic and cultural venues across the Waveney Valley.

The Corn Hall in Diss is a Grade-II listed building and a former corn exchange (Image: Denise Bradley)

"Preparing the Expression of interest has given us a shared understanding of our collective potential, and revealed new opportunities for joint programming, shared resources, and a more cohesive framework for communication."

The overall winner will receive £3m to deliver a cultural programme in 2028, with two runners-up receiving £250,000 to support cultural activity.

The Fisher Theatre in Bungay is one of the cultural organisations joining forces (Image: NQ Staff)

Community leaders and art organisations across the valley have come together to make the bid, including The Corn Hall Diss, The Cut in Halesworth, Beccles Public Hall, Wingfield Barns, and The Fisher Theatre in Bungay.

The Corn Hall has also had the backing of Waveney Valley MP, Adrian Ramsay, who said he was proud to support the joint bid.

Mr Ramsay said: "The Waveney Valley is a remarkable place with a rich cultural life, shaped by the creativity, heritage and community spirit of our market towns.

Waveney Valley MP has backed the bid (Image: Houses of Parliament)

"Each place has its own remarkable character, strengths and audiences, and together they form something even more powerful.

"This bid is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talent, history and cultural energy of the Waveney Valley on a national stage."

Towns across the region have also bid for the 2028 title, including Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds, Cromer and Sheringham, and Great Yarmouth.

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