Arts Lancashire, Creative Lancashire, and Digital Lancashire are currently working together to form a coordinated response from the organisations representing the wider creative and cultural sectors in Lancashire. The decision to withdraw Lancashire’s bid for UK City of Culture 2025 has come as a shock to everyone. Significant time, energy and resources have been given to the decision to apply for City of Culture and to the development of the Lancashire 2025 bid. We will make a considered response to this latest sudden decision by Lancashire County Council in the coming days, ensuring that it reflects both the disappointment that Lancashire’s creative and cultural organisations feel so keenly, and our continued widespread desire to see that the leadership of Lancashire County Council invest in, and recognise, culture and creativity as powerful and galvanising forces that create opportunities for investment and growth, celebrate the county’s history and strengths, and connect and support our communities.