Arts Minister Lord Parkinson visited Southampton today ahead of the decision to award the UK City of Culture 2025 title at the end of the month.

The purpose of the visit was to see for himself the city’s cultural offering and the people behind the bid including local cultural groups, creatives, artists and businesses all determined to      Make it So! Lord Parkinson also took the opportunity to experience the UK’s largest and most sophisticated maritime simulation centre at Solent University in the same way that young people do when training to be mariners.

We had a brilliant day showing @DCMS Lord Parkinson around Southampton today! Including @SolentUni, @ArtGallerySoton, a boat trip to Weston Shore and some very special performances from @MusicHubSouth, @ShannonB_91 and Issa Loyaan Farrah Kelly! Thank you to all involved!#MakeItSO pic.twitter.com/vl5bRQSkkV

— Southampton 2025 (@southampton2025) May 16, 2022

Lord Parkinson was met at Central Station by Bid Director Claire Whitaker OBE together with youngsters from Mount Pleasant Junior School who sang The Song of Southampton. Next stop was the iconic 13^th century monument God’s House Tower art gallery before embarking on a boat to view Weston Shore, which if successful, will be the location for the UK City of Culture’s opening event celebrating Southampton’s oceans, rivers and heritage of innovation.

A networking session for community and business leaders was led by Leader of the Council Satvir Kaur; Carolyn Abel of Head of Culture; Chair of Southampton 2025 Trust Chair Shelina Permalloo and Professor Fraser Sturt, who has been leading the Bid’s research and evaluation.

Lord Parkinson was then entertained by stunning performances from singer Shannon B and poet Issa Farrah-Loyan before winding up his visit at the Art Gallery.