Since taking office, this Labour Government has begun the serious work of national renewal after more than a decade of austerity and decline. By cutting NHS waiting times, bringing railways back into public ownership, boosting defence manufacturing, and investing in clean energy, we are restoring confidence in our economy and pride in our country. The UK now has the fastest-growing economy in the G7 — but renewal is about more than numbers. It is about identity, belonging, and shared purpose.
That is why I was delighted when the Government announced the new UK Town of Culture competition. It recognises that culture is not an add-on, but a foundation of renewal — and it gives towns like Halesowen the chance to tell their story on a national stage.
For too long, towns like ours have been overlooked. Yet Halesowen has a history that is rich, distinctive and deeply woven into the story of Britain itself. As a Black Country market town on the edge of the Green Belt, our identity has been shaped by industry, landscape and strong communities. From the 17th century onwards, Halesowen was a centre of nail-making, with entire households involved in the trade. Today, remnants of that past remain in listed cottages along Hagley Road, once working nail shops.
But Halesowen is not just a town of history — it remains a place of production and innovation. With companies such as Sandvik and Mapei headquartered here, we continue to play a vital role in manufacturing and supply chains that support construction and mining across the UK and beyond.
Alongside industry sits one of our greatest cultural assets: The Leasowes. Designed by poet William Shenstone, it is one of the earliest examples of the English Landscape Garden, influencing garden design across Britain and Europe. Its recently Grade II listed walled garden stands as a symbol of continuity — a reminder that valuing our past goes hand in hand with investing in our future.
Halesowen’s cultural influence extends far beyond landscape. We are the birthplace of novelist Francis Brett Young, whose Mercian novels helped place the West Midlands within the canon of British literature. We are also part of the story of Robert Plant, who spent his formative years here before becoming the lead singer of Led Zeppelin — one of the most influential bands of all time. Our contribution to film, television, nature broadcasting and sport further reflects the depth and range of talent rooted here.
Yet culture is not only about famous names. It lives in our communities, small businesses and everyday civic pride. People like Bargains with Josh, whose enthusiasm for Halesowen and support for the Town of Culture bid captures something essential about this place: belief. Belief in where we come from, and confidence in where we are going.
That sense of shared identity is strengthened by Halesowen’s diversity. Our Yemeni community, present for generations, has played a vital role in the town’s industrial, social and cultural life. Through organisations like the Halesowen and Dudley Yemeni Community Association, that heritage is nurtured while supporting integration, education and opportunity. This is culture not as nostalgia, but as living connection.
The same is true of the many faith and community institutions across Halesowen, which provide spaces of belonging, support and cohesion. They reflect what I see every day: a town that welcomes people, values contribution, and believes in community.
As MP for Halesowen, I strongly welcome the Government’s decision to place culture at the heart of renewal. Our history — industrial, artistic, environmental and communal — is not something to be left behind. It is something to be shared, celebrated and built upon.
The UK Town of Culture competition offers Halesowen the chance to do just that: to tell our story with confidence, and to remind ourselves and the country that the history of towns like ours is the history of Britain itself.
Why Halesowen’s story deserves a national stage
