On Thursday, September 1, Wrexham was formally recognised as a city after gaining the coveted designation in a competition held in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The formal “Letter Patent,” which was issued earlier this year, establishes the honor’s city status beginning on September 1, 2022.
Wrexham has now joined Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Bangor, St Davids, and St Asaph as the seventh city in Wales.
St. Asaph won the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee competition to gain civic honours, which was last held ten years ago, and was given city status.
Welsh Secretary of State Sir Robert Buckland stated:
I’d like to congratulate Wrexham on becoming a city.
The city and its surroundings already have a lot to offer, including the world-famous Wrexham Lager Brewery, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which is listed as a World Heritage Site, and a magnificent football team that is among the oldest in the world and Wales.
Wrexham has a lot to be proud of already, and the future is as exciting. I’m hoping Wrexham keeps prospering and expanding.
Wrexham Council leader Councillor Mark Pritchard said:
In Wrexham, there is plenty to be thankful for. We are home to a fantastic World Heritage Site, a fantastic football team with fantastic owners, and a vibrant and varied arts and cultural sector.
Strong ties exist between us and our military services, elite companies, and international allies.
But our most valuable resource is our communities, and what makes Wrexham unique is the incredible passion, character, and ingenuity of its residents.
Being granted city status is an amazing accomplishment that shows how confident and ambitious Wrexham is becoming.
I want to thank everyone who helped the ambitious city status bid—including elected council members, MPs, and company owners in Wrexham and beyond.
I also want to express my gratitude to Her Majesty the Queen for recognising Wrexham as a city.
This is a very momentous day, and we have received greetings from friends and supporters all across the globe.
To honour Wrexham, the Wrexham Council is organising a month of weekend activities in September:
Reaffirmation of the Borough’s Freedom to the Royal Welsh is on Saturday, September 3, and it begins at Llwyn Isaf at 11 a.m.
At 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, St. Giles Church will host a special liturgy to honour the city’s status.
At 3 p.m., Wrexham AFC will play Maidenhead Utd FC at The Racecourse stadium.
On Llwyn Isaf, there will be live music from The Royston Club starting at 6 o’clock.
Wrexham City Fun Day is on September 17 and features family-friendly events all across the city.
Wrexham on Saturday, September 24 Food Fair starting at 10 a.m. at the Waterworld parking lot (also Sunday, September 25)
At 3 p.m., Wrexham AFC plays Torquay United at the Racecourse.
Candidates for the Platinum Jubilee Civic Honours Competition had to show why their distinctive local identities and distinctive communities made them deserving of city status.
Additionally, they had to emphasise their cultural background and royal ties.
As is the case with previous winners Perth and Preston, where residents have discussed how their success contributed to increased national and global standing.
Putting them on the international map as a place to do business, winning city status can boost local communities and open up new opportunities for people who live there.
The local economy of Perth, which received city status as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, has grown by 12% over the last ten years.