Purpose

 
Croydon was one of the first
Creative Enterprise Zones (CEZ)s in London, set up in 2019 and
accredited by the Mayor of London as a place where creative
industries can flourish and grow. The zone operates primarily
across central Croydon.
 
Since the creation of the zone
in 2019 it has supported the creation of over 4,000 square metres
of creative workspace in Croydon, subsidised discounted studio or
creative workspace for over 140 residents under the age of 25 and
run a number of employment skills
programmes to support residents secure employment within the
creative sector.
 
The re-accreditation period
will focus on four key pillars.
 

§    
Space.

§    
Policy & Evidence.

§    
Inclusive Talent & Business Support

§    
Legacy & Sustainability.

 

The report seeks approval to enter agreement with
Greater London Authority for re-accreditation of the CEZ for a
further 3 years with an additional £70,000 in grant
funding.

 
 

Content

 

1.1.       
Agree to the re-accreditation of the Croydon CEZ
from the date of a completed grant funding agreement up until
December 31st 2028.
 

1.2.       
Approve entering into agreement with the Greater
London Authority for the re-accreditation period.
 

1.3.       
Agree the CEZ funding allocation of
£70,000.
 

1.4.       
Note that delivery of the CEZ re-accreditation is
aligned to the Executive Mayors Business Plan Outcome 2: Croydon is
a place of opportunity for business, earning and
learning.
 
 

Reasons for the decision

 
The recent Croydon Growth Plan
highlighted the creative sector as a strength of the borough with
‘more creative businesses per capita than Manchester, Leeds
or Brimingham’. By committing to an additional 3 years within
the creative enterprise zones we are
providing an opportunity for additional support to this
sector.
 
Research conducted by
We Made that as part of the first phase
of the Creative Enterprise zone has shown a drop off in jobs
registered within the creative sector since 2017 from 5.6% to 4.5%.
Indicating work is required to support businesses in the creative
sector to increase growth.
 
The CEZ has already delivered
significant impact, including support for over 300 creative
SME’s and 27 paid internships with leading creative
organisations. By renewing our grant agreement we are extending the opportunity to
provide support to the sector.
 
High land values, redevelopment
pressures, business rates and challenging economic landscape
continue to put pressure on the creative industries sector.
Creative enterprise zones are designed to support in this
challenging landscape by working in partnership with local
authorities, venue operators and creative businesses to:
 

§ 
Protect existing and create new affordable
workspaces.

Build entrepreneurial
skills and offer business support to creative
businesses.
Develop policy which
support artists and creatives.
Create socially
inclusive places.

 

Alternative options considered

Alternative options to entering
into a grant funding agreement were considered and these
included:
 
§ 
Not submitting a bid for re-accreditation
This option was rejected as it
would have resulted in Croydon missing out on funding tosupport its creative sector and local residents, thereby forfeiting an opportunity
to proactively grow and strengthen the boroughs creative
economy.