Uploaded February 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Rochester, in the south-east of England, was a city for nearly 800 years. And then, in 1998, an administrative error took that city status away, likely forever. Here's the story.

Research and script assistance from Jess Jewell

REFERENCES:
BBC article: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/england/1991827.stm
Kent Online article: kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/labour-lost-city-status-deliberately-say-tories-191729
Minutes of the meeting: whatdotheyknow.com/request/minute_1197_policy_and_resources

Additional research links:
city-of-rochester.org.uk/features/rochester-city-status
Local Government Act (1972) see: lawteacher.net/acts/local-government-act-1972.php
Charter Trustees Regulations (1996): legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/263/made

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