We can’t give away too much about the content of the city's bid – it is a competition after all! But the basics are that Norwich has been shortlisted to submit a full bid by 21 May 2010 alongside Sheffield, Birmingham and Derry.

What we can say however, is that Norwich has had good feedback so far and is in with a very good chance of winning. The bid needs quite a lot of technical information to prove that we can handle a year-long international arts festival, but also evidence that if we win, it will make enough of a difference - in other words how much do we need it compared to other cities. And how much support we have from people that live and work here.

 

At the heart of our bid lies a very simple aim:

'As UK City of Culture 2013, Norwich will explore and celebrate everyone’s potential to engage with, describe and change our world for the better. We will make Norwich a crucible for experiment, play and debate about how to live creatively and sustainably in the 21^st Century.'

The bid needs quite a lot of technical information to prove that we can handle a year-long international arts festival, as well as evidence that if we win, it will make enough of a difference to the people who live here, work here and visit here - in other words how much do we need it compared to other cities.

The bid is being prepared by a bid team made up of representatives of major organisations in the city including the city council, the City of Norwich Partnership and a small group of external advisers who have specific skills. It is supported by the Leader of the Council, and the Chief Executive and there is extensive public support through the media and the very active Facebook group.

Our big challenges are to prove that all city residents will benefit if we win, and that the programme we’re designing will reach out through the city, into Norfolk and across the whole of the UK to make a real difference to the way the city is perceived. We have to show that the impact of being the first ever UK City of Culture in 2013 will spread out and benefit everyone in Norwich, Norfolk and beyond.

The judges also want to know how we will make that benefit last way beyond 2013.

The preparation time for the bid is short which is why we are seeking ideas and views from everyone in the city through this website. Please let us know your ideas for the future of Norwich