A Toolkit for Creative Cities
KTN report gives guidance on how UK cities and regions can nurture creative industries
This month saw the launch of the Creative Industries Toolkit in Birmingham by the recently elected Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, and Nicola Mendelsohn, Chair of the Creative Industries Council. Produced by the KTN in collaboration with the Creative Industries Council, BOP Consulting, and Creative England, this report provides guidance on how UK cities and regions can nurture their creative industries, and how a strong creative cluster can make for a more successful and innovative city.
While London dominates global consciousness of the UK’s Creative Industries, there is significant creative and cultural activity happening across every corner of the country Рfrom Bristol’s multi-arts innovation complex Watershed to Leamington Spa’s growing gaming sector.
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As the report shows, this activity carries serious economic weight for cities and regions throughout the U.K:
- Bringing over 800,000 international music tourists to the UK, generating £45million in revenue in Brighton, £35m in New Castle, and £28m in Coventry
- ‘Screen tourism’ generating £140million to local economies in the UK, including Downton Abbey fans generating £2.7m for the town of Bampton, and Harry Potter fans brings £4.3m to Alnwick.
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The focus on devolution gives the Mayors of the new Combined Authorities in regions such as the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and West of England, as well as leaders of established local authorities, an opportunity to support and invest in creative industries. Crucially, the policies and plans they make will be based on the assets of their own communities, and drawn from local insight rather than a mandate from national government.
To succeed, leaders will need to inspire their own authorities to move from a narrow view of the sector to a broad, cross-cutting ‘place-based’ approach. This requires vision and leadership; time and effort being put into planning and real partnership working. This document highlights examples of success from across the UK to help make it happen.