There is a growing creative sector and Design Council figures show the Creative Industries being worth £62 billion and growing to become the UK economy’s second most valuable sector after the service sector.
The Government is committed to ensuring the creative economy expands, keeps ahead of growing international competition and continues the regeneratative effect it’s having on many towns and cities.
There are over 60,000 design students on design courses in the UK and this is growing at 3% per year. There are significant rises in the number of post grad design students coming to the UK to study as the UK’s reputation for design education continues to grow.
However it has become increasingly difficult for start up creative businesses to find affordable retail space in prominent or even secondary retail locations.
UK cities have a history of “easy in easy out” retail premises that have allowed creative businesses to “have a go” at low cost; including the iconic Kensington Market, Kensington High Street in London, the original Quiggins in Liverpool and The Corn Exchange in Leeds. The only substantial remaining institution of this type is Affleck’s Palace in Manchester.
In 2003 The Idler published the first of its “Crap Towns” series of books which got people talking about Britain’s clone towns. In 2006 the New Economics Foundation published its ”Clone Town Britain” report calling for serendipity on our retail streets.
The current recession and rising unemployment numbers makes it paramount that “start ups”, entrepreneurial activity, self employment opportunities and stimulating retail experiences are promoted.
Many other countries have realised that creative start ups benefit their cities but that they also need encouragement. These cities include Vancouver, Copenhagen and Amsterdam and this is always a contributing factor to their high standing in all the “World’s Most Liveable Cities” reports.
Our move to a more sustainable future must include “Economic Sustainability” and “Social Sustainability “.
“When my wife Gerardine and I couldn’t afford to pay the rent on our house back in 1980 we emptied our wardrobes of Gerra’s self designed and self made clothes and my collection of charity shop finds and customised second-hand clothing onto Camden Market. Weeks later we opened in Kensington Market, got spotted by Macy’s New York and Red or Dead was born. We were able to expand without relying on banks or without having a covenant by opening in Affleck’s Palace and The Royal Exchange in Manchester and in similar set ups around the UK and overseas. Being able to get in front of the public and remaining unencumbered with borrowings was the key to success.”
*1 http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/en/About-Design/Research/ *2 http://www.designmuseum.org/media/item/498/1618/Touring-Exhibition-Programme-2008.pdf *3 http://www.londonsdc.org/londonleaders