This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:
Odds in our favour
by Tom Mack
Bookies are taking bets on the race to become the 2017 Capital of Culture – with one making Leicester joint second favourites.
William Hill has the city at 5/1, in equal second place with Swansea Bay and only Chester, at 4/1, has better odds to win.
In total there are 11 cities vying for the title and Leicester's multi-cultural population is helping boost the odds in its favour.
William Hill spokesman Joe Crilly said: "There's an awful lot of regeneration going on in Leicester and it's vastly multicultural.
"I went to the University of Leicester for four years and I know myself it has been a standard-bearer for multiculturalism in Europe."But he said the betting had been fairly quiet so far.
"There have been a couple of bets placed on Leicester to win since we started on Wednesday.
"It's not much of a money-spinner compared to the football and the betting is predominantly for Dundee."
Ladrokes have been less generous to Leicester, putting the city in equal sixth place with Plymouth at 8/1. Ahead of it are Aberdeen, Chester and Southampton and Portsmouth, with Swansea Bay as favourite.
The other locations in the running to become the 2017 UK Capital of Culture are Hull, Southend on Sea, East Kent, Hastings & Bexhill on Sea.
Ladbrokes spokeswoman Jessica Bridge said: "The odds were worked out in the usual way based on the facts and figures we knew, as well as the likely impact of the celebrities backing the cities and the success of the cities that have gone for the title in previous years.
"In terms of betting, the most has been for Swansea Bay and the Southampton and Portsmouth joint bid isn't doing badly for money being put down.
"There hasn't been a lot of love for Leicester yet but it's still early days."
Among the celebrity backers for Leicester to win the title is actor and film director Richard Attenborough.
Lord Attenborough grew up in Leicester and he made his stage debut as a boy at the city's Little Theatre.
He has been a life-long supporter of the city's arts scene and his collection of ceramics by Pablo Picasso are on long-term loan to the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery.
The 89-year-old said the city had "evolved into a huge multi-cultural centre".
If Leicester wins, it aims to stage a Festival of Light, based on the annual Diwali celebrations, as well as a re-enactment of the Richard III story.
This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:
Richard Attenborough's blessing for culture city bid
by Dan Martin
The city's best-loved thespian, Richard Attenborough, is backing Leicester's drive to be crowned 2017 UK City of Culture.
Lord Attenborough has been unveiled by the team behind the city's bid for the title as its most high-profile supporter.
The respected actor and director grew up in Leicester with his brother, David, the renowned naturalist, and made his stage debut as a boy at the city's Little Theatre.
He has been a life-long supporter of the city's arts scene ever since.
The 89-year-old is in a frail state following a stroke in 2008, but is well enough to lend his support to Leicester's campaign to land the title.
The city is hoping to be chosen to succeed Londonderry in Northern Ireland in the competition, which is being run by the Government.
Today, Leicester and its 11 rivals submitted details of their bid in the hope of being shortlisted in June, before the winner is selected in November.
Lord Attenborough said: "I am delighted to offer my unconditional endorsement and support to Leicester's bid.
"In recent years, as the city has evolved into a huge multi-cultural centre, I have been thrilled to witness Leicester embrace and celebrate this in such an enlightened, inspired and visionary manner."
The celebrity, who has opened a Centre for Disability and the Arts here and loaned his collection of rare Picasso ceramics to be displayed in the city, said: "My experience and knowledge of Leicester's rich vein of cultural and, in particular, theatrical activity goes back over 80 years, from my first stumbling steps on the stage of the Little Theatre, through to the Phoenix, the Haymarket and now Curve."
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, who is chairman of the consortium behind the bid, said Lord Attenborough's support had given it considerable weight.
"We have been touched by Lord Attenborough's heartfelt support," said Sir Peter.
"He is indeed a product of this city and very proud of his association with it.
"I am confident we have a very strong bid to put in."
The consortium revealed details of some of the events and activities it would stage in 2017 if the bid is successful. They include a "Festival of Light" based on the city's existing Diwali and bonfire night celebrations, as well as a large scale re-enactment of the Richard III story to mark the discovery of the king's bones.
Geoff Rowe, Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival founder and a member of Leicester's bidding board, said a key feature of the programme would be a portable light installation which would project images onto buildings around the city, such as the National Space Centre.
Curve chief executive Fiona Allan, also on the bidding board, said the Richard III re-enactment would involve both professional actors and thousands of members of the public, and would take place over several days at a number of venues.
The bidding team has been told by the Government that it should expect to spend £10 million on a programme of events if it is successful in being named 2017 UK City of Culture.
Sir Peter said the council was prepared to underwrite the cost but said that a large amount of the funding would come from organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts Council.
He said any public funds put in would be paid back "10 or 100-fold" from the tourism boost.
