George Town joins in bid to become a city

| 23/12/2021 | 74 Comments
Cayman News Service
Waterfront area of George Town

(CNS): The capital of the Cayman Islands is one of three overseas territory towns that has been allowed for the first time to make a bid to get city status as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. The application for George Town to become a city was submitted by the London Office and supported by the governor, and has been added to the list of 38 other applications coming from the UK as well as Stanley in the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar. Cayman is the only Caribbean territory making a bid and officials said that George Town had a good story to tell.

While there are no direct financial benefits in gaining city status and no costs for applying, officials said it elevates the profile of a place; winning can provide a boost to local communities and open up new opportunities for people who live there.

The competition is part of a series of planned celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth’s historic 70-year reign. In an official press release announcing the competition, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Steve Barclay, who is organising the project, said it was a celebration of the rich and diverse communities which make up not only the United Kingdom, but further afield in the Falklands, Gibraltar and the Cayman Islands. 

“It’s fitting that, as we look towards celebrating the 70 year reign of Her Majesty the Queen, we extend the competition to include those parts of the world which also hold her so dearly,” he said. City status is not only about local pride, it can deliver real levelling up benefits for businesses and the local area which is clear from the high number of applications. A sincere best of luck to all those who have applied.”

Applicants were asked to talk about the distinct identity and community which they felt meant that their area deserved to become a city, as well as the royal associations of their area. An expert panel will work closely with ministers to make their recommendations, before being approved by the Queen. The final decision will be taken in the spring 2022 and announced shortly afterwards as part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The full lists of applicants can be found here.


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Comments (74)

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  1. Hancock says:

    What defines a Cathedral? maybe we could rename the church Elmsley Cathedral.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Where is the lol button?

  3. Sucka Free Cayman says:

    Wotch you talking bout Willis Caymana Bay City with seven mile renamed Dartville Beach hush unnah mouth now the Gods have Spoken !

  4. Rick says:

    I propose we change the name to Trashmore City or Trashmoreville. Trashville? How about City of Trashmore?

  5. Really says:

    Why bother if Gib and Hamilton are applying? No way Cayman is in with a shout after the Queen was dragged onto the Paradise Papers leak.

    • Anonymous says:

      That’s a law firm that was in the middle of that.

      It is the eighth wonder of the world why law firms, who are acting in breach of the law, are not brought to account for their illegal law practices. That is an AML regime issue.

      That has nothing to do with whether or not “George Town” is to be bestowed categorization as a “City”.

  6. Elvis says:

    Probably be called Atlantis the way things are going

  7. Butterball says:

    What is this “good story to tell”? I’ve got my popcorn ready.

  8. Orrie Merren says:

    “City of London” is only one square mile. George Town, despite its size, is a small geographical area of the world that has a significant economic impact globally.

    • Anonymous says:

      Orrie Merren – I’m sure you realize that the 1 square mile area known as the “city of London” (primarily the financial district) does not comprise London – the city, which is actually some 600 + square miles in area.

      • Logic 101 says:

        The City of London is its own city, with its own mayor, police force and local council.

        However, Orrie Merren’s point is fairly irrelevant as CoL is a city due to its historical position and special designation. George Town has literally nothing that would make it a city!

  9. DenT says:

    Bermuda has the capital city of Hamilton since the very late 1800’s and it has a population of less than 1000. Name does not necessarily have to change to reflect the status of a “city” … just saying.

    I wondering if all the negative comments are posted because people can … and have nothing better to do or say! SMH.

  10. Anonymous says:

    So will the new name be “George City”. DUMB!

  11. Anonymous says:

    The next thing you know this government will be changing all the street names. That’s usually one of the first things a government does when it doesn’t really have a plan; or a clue.

    • Anonymous says:

      You mean like Seafarers’ Way? And my father was such a person and he would have laughed at the name change.

  12. Anonymous says:

    Is this a joke? George Town isn’t the size of a small town in the Uk, let alone a city. It’s also a complete dump of an area.

  13. Anonymous says:

    It’s already a city – Ghost City!

  14. anon says:

    I would like to hear the case for George Town being given “city status”, it surely can’t include “local pride”.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Got to get rid of Dog City first.

  16. Anonymous says:

    More clown foolish ideas from this garbage government.

  17. Anonymous says:

    FFS. The dump burns. Covid rages. People can’t pay their utility bill. Crime on the upswing. Traffic accidents out of control. Tourism industry in disarray. And this is what PACT is working on. I can’t believe I voted for Wayne Panton who obviously isn’t in control.

  18. Anonymous says:

    at least we know pact and the civil service are concentrating on the important issues…..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    • Anonymous says:

      As silly as declaring Miss Lassie’s house as a world heritage site.
      Maybe there’s an MBE in it for someone.

  19. Anonymous says:

    it need a turle shaped ice rink to become a city!

  20. Anonymous says:

    And the Mayor would be…LOL SMH

  21. Anonymous says:

    At the risk of sounding ignorant, I thought George Town was already a city. I’d be grateful for someone to educate me on this as I genuinely don’t know.

    • Anonymous says:

      I thought that to be called a “city” a town had to have a cathedral. Don’t see any cathedrals here, unless one is hiding in “the Swamp”.

    • Anonymous says:

      5:19 don’t worry you will figure it out by 2024. Hint read the article slowly this time.

      • Anonymous says:

        Why don’t you read it again? Nothing tangible is offered as an explanation as to why this would be beneficial except marketing buzz words like “opportunity” and “boost” to the community.

        Money and effort would be better spent on boosting the educational system, revamping the welfare system, etc.

  22. Anonymous says:

    It will always be a small island. Call it whatever you want. I call it a Dumbassed argument.

  23. Anonymous says:

    George Town would be our second city, after Dog City.

  24. Anonymous says:

    Absolutely rediculous. George TOWN becomes a city and that’s a huge leap forward? This country is going bloody-well crazy.

  25. Anonymous says:

    Is it April’s fool already ha ha

  26. Anonymous says:

    Dart City? Got to change the name after all….

    SMH.

  27. Anonymous says:

    Soon to be renamed as Kennyville

  28. Anonymous says:

    George Town has a really sad story to tell at that.

  29. Anonymous says:

    Would this convince Digicel to redomicile it’s location services defaults to the Cayman Islands instead of Jamaica? While we’re in the subject, when will CIG/ofReg advocate to get us off the 809-exchange phone card scam ban lists that date back two decades? Zzzz.

  30. Anonymous says:

    @1:45 pm. Lol. You amused me. So i was preparing to add a comment. Then I saw HAAAAA. Enough said.

  31. Anonymous says:

    So….George City? seems worth the effort, unless you are already the largest and only ‘urban’ centre on an island that has a small population. I will keep an eye out for this: “City status is not only about local pride, it can deliver real levelling up benefits for businesses and the local area..”

  32. Anonymous says:

    Too small to be a city

  33. Anonymous says:

    What about Camana Bay?

  34. Anonymous says:

    The city that always sleeps.

  35. Anonymous says:

    Why would we want to be a city? Who’s idea was this? Were the residents asked? Do we have to accept is this is “granted”?
    GT a (small/tiny) town on a Caribbean island. Leave it alone.

  36. Anonymous says:

    So what, going to rename GT now as well?

  37. Anonymous says:

    George City? or George Town City, lol.

  38. Anonymous says:

    Stake Bay would have a much better chance.

  39. Anonymous says:

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

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