SOUTHAMPTON could make a fresh bid to become the UK’s “city of culture” – despite losing out on the title in 2013.

Its joint bid with Portsmouth did not make the shortlist, announced yesterday, which featured Birmingham, Sheffield, Norwich and Derry/ Londonderry.

The council organisers of Hampshire’s application, who had hired a PR firm to try to boost their prospects, were left counting the cost last night after an estimated £100m of investment slipped through their fingers.

It means events such as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, The Brit Awards, The Electric Proms, the Turner Prize for contemporary art and the RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture will not be coming to the south coast.

As well as a programme of its own events, the winner will host a range of national events and ceremonies.

The decision has been greeted with disappointment by civic chiefs, who refused to rule out entering a fresh bid for the 2017 competition.

Councillor John Hannides, Southampton City Council’s Cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “Naturally we are disappointed, but it does mean that of course we will continue to focus on improving our cultural offering in the city.

“It is another reason why we should redouble our effort to progress with the initiatives we have in the pipeline, including the cultural quarter, the new arts centre and the Sea City museum. At this stage it does not mean we would rule out a future bid in 2017.”

Adrian Hunt, from Southampton’s John Hansard Gallery, said he felt the bid may have come too soon for the city. He said: “It is very disappointing.

Possibly the bid process should have been more visible and had a higher profile in the city.”

Southampton and Portsmouth announced their joint bid last year, even pointing to the historic rivalry between Saints and Pompey as a reason they should win the accolade.

Leisure chiefs used the slogan “PS I Love You” and hoped the cities’ links with the sea and maritime heritage would be enough to sway the judges.

They even delivered a giant Christmas card to culture secretary Margaret Hodge in a lobbying stunt.

But in the end the bid was cast adrift along with Barnsley, Carlisle, Chichester, Cornwall, Durham, Hull, Ipswich and the Haven Gateway, Southend and Swansea.

The overall winner will be revealed in July.