Exploring the Creative Landscape: An Analysis of the UK's Creative Sectors
In a recently published report titled "Creative Radar," researchers from the Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex have highlighted the benefits of creative microclusters for smaller businesses in the UK. The report, peer-reviewed prior to publication, was taken of Margate in England by Alyssa Bossom.
The report emphasises the importance of accessing foreign talent in the Creative Industries post-Brexit. It identifies 709 creative microclusters around the UK, with a third of these microclusters located outside of the established large creative clusters. Businesses in these microclusters, such as Telford in Shropshire or Lerwick in Shetland, are more likely to have grown and reported more benefits from being inside a microcluster.
Microclusters offer several advantages for creative businesses. They encourage strong local connections, enabling businesses to share ideas and innovate efficiently within a more intimate and supportive setting. This enhanced collaboration and innovation is facilitated by specific grants and financial support, such as the DCMS Create Growth Programme and regional funds from Norfolk & Suffolk councils. Projects like free innovation mentoring and bid writing also help microbusiness owners secure funding and develop projects suited to local creative markets.
In contrast, large established creative clusters within the UK tend to have more extensive infrastructure, a greater pool of skills, and broader market access. However, they can be more competitive and less personalized. These clusters benefit from larger scale access to finance, research and development, intellectual property management, and trade opportunities suitable for scaling creative businesses. Yet, they may lack the agility and local focus of microclusters.
The report presents recommendations for policymakers, including investing in encouraging microclusters to emerge outside of the established large clusters and supporting them through programs like the Creative Scale Up. It is important to note that the report does not necessarily represent the views of the PEC or its partner organizations.
The findings suggest that there are benefits for being part of a creative cluster, but these benefits do not always translate into faster growth. Moreover, businesses outside of large established clusters reported a lack of confidence in their ability to attract funding, which they consider to be their biggest obstacle to growth.
Worldwide exports of creative goods exceeded 500 billion USD in 2015, with a 150% increase since 2000. As the UK navigates its post-Brexit landscape, understanding and supporting the unique needs and advantages of creative microclusters could play a crucial role in fostering growth and innovation within the Creative Industries.
For more information, you can access the full report here: https://our website/assets/publications/PEC-Creative-Radar-report-November-2020.pdf and find additional insights in the blog from Josh Siepel.
- The recently published "Creative Radar" report underscores the significance of attracting foreign talent in the Creative Industries in the post-Brexit era.
- Researchers from the Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex identified 709 creative microclusters dispersed across the UK, with one-third existing beyond the reputable large creative clusters.
- Businesses in these creative microclusters, such as Telford in Shropshire or Lerwick in Shetland, have benefited more from being enclosed in a microcluster, due to stronger local connections, efficient innovation, and specific financial support.
- Large established creative clusters in the UK boast extended infrastructure, a wide pool of skills, and broader market access, but they can be more competitive and less personalized.
- The report advises policymakers to invest in nurturing microclusters outside of the big clusters and support them through programs like the Creative Scale Up.
- The benefits of being part of a creative cluster may not always result in swifter growth, and businesses outside large established clusters often express a lack of confidence in securing funding as their principal barrier to expansion.
- With worldwide exports of creative goods surpassing 500 billion USD in 2015 and a 150% increase since 2000, comprehending and bolstering the peculiar requirements and strengths of creative microclusters could be instrumental in cultivating growth and innovation within the Creative Industries in the UK's post-Brexit scenario.
