Bath & North East Somerset Council has approved a new plan aimed at using culture to improve wellbeing, support communities, grow the creative economy and strengthen the visitor experience across the district.
The Roman Baths at night | Photo © B&NES Council
The Cultural Development Plan sets out how culture can play a bigger role in bringing people together in Bath, Keynsham, the Somer Valley and rural communities, while also helping ensure opportunities are spread more widely across the area.
Council leader Kevin Guy said the strategy was intended to make culture more accessible and to provide practical support for important organisations across the district.
He said: “Culture shapes the places we live, supports our wellbeing and brings communities together.
“This plan will help to ensure that more culture happens in more places across our district for the benefit of all our residents.
“It sets out a clear and practical commitment to working with partners, organisations and residents to ensure culture is accessible to everyone – wherever they live in the district – and means that some of our most important cultural organisations will get the support they need to prosper.
“By investing in our cultural infrastructure and celebrating the creativity and heritage that make our area distinctive, we are preparing for the future and creating opportunities for all.”
The plan was drawn up after consultation with more than 60 local cultural organisations and individuals.
It also points to closer working with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, Visit West, museums, libraries, community groups and the wider creative sector.
Alongside the new cultural strategy, the council has also set out a new Heritage Services Business Plan, detailing how the service will respond to difficult economic conditions.
Measures include attracting more international visitors through travel-trade partnerships and encouraging more domestic trips.
Heritage Services, which runs the Roman Baths, generates significant income for the council, with that money used to support vulnerable people across Bath and North East Somerset.
The service also says community engagement will remain a priority, with health and wellbeing, learning and volunteering opportunities continuing as part of its work.
The update also highlights ongoing progress on the Fashion Museum Bath project. According to the council, major advances have been made over the past year, with 2026 set to focus on fundraising and detailed design work for the new museum and surrounding public realm.
Supporting the wider programme, Heritage Services has also produced a new Sustainability Action Plan setting out how it will respond to the climate and ecological emergencies, including steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve resilience and help protect the city’s heritage for the future.
