It was an easy decision to get involved – supporting Southampton’s BID to become UK City of Culture 2025. It was both stressful, exhausting but wonderfully affirming, with all aspects of the city’s culture and business coming together as one, like no other time we have ever known.

Southampton was long listed – and we worked day and night on the final BID proposal which got us shortlisted to the final four candidate cities. We worked on branding, design and artwork to spread the love; creating everything from pull ups and posters to digital presentations. We dressed Southampton with posters, lamppost banners, 48 sheet screens, flags, taxi stickers and dressed up City College for a Judge’s lunch with drop banners, gallery displays, easel displays, wall displays, window dressing, pillar dressing, screen back drops, branded clothing and items, bunting, event lanyards and magazines. Then The Arts Minister’s visit, and the afternoon when we all travelled up to the House of Lords. We also branded the impressive Solent University Hub ready for the final announcement, live on the BBC One Show on 31st May. Welcoming 400 guests and organising two massive confetti cannons ready to set off to celebrate our win… we are obviously disappointed with the result. But Bradford – you are a worthy winner.

As we catch our breath and reflect on the whole process, the benefits and impact of the journey have been a real catalyst for the city and through our communities, cultural and creative industries, businesses and many more. Southampton has come together like never before, and as we gather ourselves and move forward we are looking forward to what is yet to come.

Read more about why Thomas Miller became a Gateway Club Partner.

2021- May 2022

Southampton City of Culture 2025

Brand and BID campaign development and delivery.