Government Boosts Creative Industries Outside London with £33 Million Investment
A notable £33 million investment is set to fuel growth and innovation within teh UK’s creative industries, with a focus on regions outside of London. The funding package comprises two key initiatives designed to empower creative businesses and freelancers.
Six regions – Greater manchester, Liverpool City Region, the North East, West of England, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire – will each receive £25 million through the government’s Creative Places Growth Fund. This funding, announced as part of the Creative Industries Sector Plan and the broader Industrial Strategy, will be distributed over three years starting in the 2026 financial year. Local Mayors will oversee the allocation, tailoring support to address specific regional challenges and opportunities.The aim is to provide access to finance, mentoring, and networking opportunities, connecting creative professionals with investors and skills advancement programs.
In addition to the regional funds, over 100 small and medium-sized creative enterprises across twelve UK regions are benefiting from £8 million in grants via the Create Growth Program. These grants, ranging from £20,000 to £140,000, are designed to help businesses commercialize innovative ideas, access vital resources, and attract private investment for scaling up.
Businesses already set to benefit include Translating Nature, an art and design studio in margate, and King Bee, a creative animation studio in Hertfordshire. The supported companies operate across diverse sectors including gaming, music, and marketing, and are located in: Greater Manchester; Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire; the North East of England; West of England; Devon and Cornwall; the South East; Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Greater Lincolnshire; Nottingham and Nottinghamshire; hull and East Yorkshire; the West Midlands; west Yorkshire; and Hertfordshire.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy highlighted that this investment represents a new approach to supporting the creative sector, devolving power and resources to Mayoral Strategic Authorities to drive localized growth and unlock the potential of creative talent across the UK. This initiative is part of the Government’s Plan for Change, aiming to foster a thriving and innovative creative landscape nationwide.
