Region awarded a share of £10.9m to help its creative businesses grow
Creative businesses in Hull and East Yorkshire and West Yorkshire will benefit from a share of more than £10m in targeted support to attract investment and create jobs.
Businesses across Yorkshire will be able to benefit from the support following the success of the Hull and East Yorkshire LEP (HEY LEP) and West Yorkshire Combined Authority in bidding for a share of funding from the Create Growth Programme.
The programme helps creative businesses access private investment and scale-up advice.
Today the Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer is doubling the areas covered by the programme, announcing six new areas that will receive a share of £10.9m to deliver targeted business support, bringing the total number of creative organisations expected to be supported by the programme to 1,800.
Frazer said: “From its rich history of textile design to cutting edge production facilities, Yorkshire is a place where creative industries can thrive.
“I want to work with businesses across Yorkshire to ensure we maximise their potential, unlock growth across the local economy and build a pipeline of creative skills and talent to provide opportunities for our young people.
“I want to grow our creative industries by £50bn by 2030 and we can only do that if creative businesses across Yorkshire are firing on all cylinders, supported with the skills, training and opportunities they need to grow.”
The Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority will lead the distribution of funding in each area to best meet the needs of creative businesses across Yorkshire.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “The creative industries are booming here in West Yorkshire, creating happier communities and a healthier economy, with the sector recruiting nearly 50,000 jobs in the region last year.
“And now, this new investment will help our creative businesses to reach their full potential, as we build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”
James Newman, chair of HEY LEP said: “This funding will enable HEY LEP to fulfil its goals of developing the digital and creative sectors in the region, as part of our Economic Growth and Workforce Wellbeing Strategy 2021-2026.
“We look forward to delivering the Create Growth Programme alongside our area partners Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and the University of Hull.”
The Culture Secretary is also calling on grassroots music venues, studios, promoters and festivals in Yorkshire to apply for grants of up to £40,000 to develop new revenue streams, make repairs and improvements, and enhance the live music experience for millions of gig-goers across the UK.
The Supporting Grassroots Music Fund – delivered by Arts Council England – has been expanded to ensure grants reach more parts of the grassroots industry across England, including rehearsal and recording studios, promoters, festivals and venues hosting electronic music.
