Ealing, together with its neighbour Hammersmith & Fulham, are the latest boroughs in London to join the Mayor of London’s Creative Enterprise Zones and get a share of £800,000 investment that aims to help creative people in local areas across the capital.
The two west London boroughs will share £140,000 and join Croydon, Haringey, Hounslow, Lambeth, Lewisham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest who are part of the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s Creative Enterprise Zones initiative.
The new Ealing zone, in partnership with Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, seeks to increase creative employment opportunities across the borough by working with young people and local businesses. It will also provide small grants to 30 Ealing creatives to develop community spaces, through murals, and public art installations.
“Our Creative Enterprise Zones are creating much-needed affordable workspace, jobs, new businesses and opportunities for young people at a time when the creative industries need our support,” said Sadiq Khan. “The zones have shown what can be achieved to help local communities and businesses, and I am delighted to be expanding the programme into Hammersmith & Fulham and Ealing.”
David Lunts, CEO of Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation said: “Acton and Park Royal are home to some of the capital’s most interesting and creative artists, makers and producers. Establishing a new Creative Enterprise Zone will shine a light behind those industrial and studio doors, from fashion to films, not to mention some of the best food in London.”
Lunts added: “As the Mayor’s development corporation for regenerating the area, we’re working to invest in and support local people and businesses. The Creative Enterprise Zone will help nurture talent and drive investment as this area grows.”
On hearing the news, local North Acton ward Councillor Dan Crawford tweeted: “Brilliant news that #NorthActon will become one of @SadiqKhan’s new Creative Enterprise Zones”.
Ealing Council leader Peter Mason added: “One of our key pledges here at Ealing is to help deliver new jobs and spaces for local businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive and I’m delighted that Acton has been chosen as one of two new creative enterprise zones in London. This will create the perfect environment for artists and creatives to put down roots, grow and nurture the skills of local people for generations to come.”
Across the nine zones, Khan says it will support 5,000 young Londoners to enter the creative industry as well as increasing the amount of new and affordable workspace that is available.
Since launching the scheme in 2018, the Mayor has invested £14m to help and support creative artists and businesses get support and find affordable spaces to work in London.
