Creative Corridor – an initiative to grow and recognise Surrey’s creative industries – has launched. And businesses of all sizes are encouraged to get involved.
Surrey County Council has commissioned the University for the Creative Arts to look at ways to bring together creative producers, education partners and production facilities in and around the region.
The aim is to accelerate development of a Surrey+ Creative Corridor. This would recognise the region as a nationally and globally significant hub for creative technology innovation and economic growth.
The first step is the developing a Surrey+ Strategy, looking at the challenges and opportunities of the creative industries in Surrey.
A series of workshops with businesses and partners are taking place this month. View the details below. Or you can sign up via the Fifth Sector website.
Creative industries – a growing sector
Surrey is a hotbed for the creative industries, with its businesses generating billions to the regional economy and employing thousands of people. This has supported growth across the UK.
The success of the creative sector has generated further growth – leading to a “cluster” of creative industries setting up in the county.
This allows them to collaborate and compete, supporting knowledge exchange and accessing physical spaces such as film studios and cultural infrastructure
In time it attracts more skilled workers, specialist suppliers and investors, fostering a wider environment of collaboration and competition.
Surrey’s Creative Corridor is identified as part of the London and M25 Creative Supercluster hotspot, extending across London, Surrey, Kent, and Sussex. This region accounted for 68% of the UKโs creative industries GVA (ยฃ71 billion) in 2019.
Figures from UKRI show from 2010 to 2019 the creative industries grew more than 1.5 times faster than the wider UK economy. In 2021 they generated ยฃ108 billion in economic value, employing 2.3 million people – a 49% increase since 2011.
What is Creative Corridor?
Theย Creative Corridor Initiative aims to support Surrey’s creative industries by identifying opportunities, addressing challenges, and attracting investment.
Over the next six months, an Advisory Board will shape a report that outlines actionable steps to grow the creative economy in Surrey and South Central. This will be led by commissioned experts the Fifth Sector.
Skills and strengthening the talent pipeline will be a focus. It will also explore the potential for establishing a ‘creative corridor’ with other regional neighbours.
The report launches at UCA Farnham in March 2025.
Get involved with Creative Corridor
Workshops with a diverse group of stakeholders are taking place this month (December 2024)
They will bring together industry, education and the public sector to talk about the future skills needs of the creative cluster, as well as opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Bookings are now open. Sign up below.
- Surrey+ Cultural, Creative & Media Workshopย – Tuesday 3 December 2024, 10am to 11.30am (online โ register here)
- Surrey+ Games, Interactive and Convergent Screen Technologies Workshop โ Monday 9 December, 2pm to 3.30pm (online โ register here)
- Surrey+ Tech Sector Workshop โ Wednesday 11 December, 3pm to 4.30pm (online โ register here)
- Surrey+ Exploration & Exchange event โ Thursday 12 December, 10.30am to 12pm (The Wells at UCA Epsom โ register here)
These workshops build on the 2023 Surrey Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), driving a coordinated approach to boost the growth and resilience of the local creative economy while increasing opportunities for the creative workforce across the region.
Support for your business
Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service providing free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey. Our team of experts can provide independent and impartial advice on growing your business.
- Get free support to grow your business via ourย Business Support Form.
- Sign up to our newsletterย for regular updates on news, events and support for all Surrey businesses.
- Search more thanย 120 different local, regional and national support schemes in our service directory.
