"Plan to turn Coventry and Warwickshire into creative and technological powerhouses"

Link-up with universities sparks a 'transformational' strategy



Coventry’s creative industries look set to be given a huge boost thanks to a link-up between the council and the city’s two universities which has led to one of the UK’s first strategies to promote the sector. Salla Virman, the city council’s head of culture and creative economy, a post funded by the universities, outlined the details to councillors this week.

In her report, she said: “This is a potentially transformational moment for Coventry ’s creative industries. With strengths in both creativity and technology, two strong universities and the creative legacy of UK City of Culture 2021, Coventry is well-placed to maximise the potential of its creative industries and secure significant investment to support this.

“Coventry’s creative industries represent a significant economic force that extends far beyond traditional creative boundaries. The city hosts 1,290 creative businesses comprising 13 per cent of all local enterprises, directly employing 7,250 creative and cultural workers. However, the sector’s true impact is much larger, with approximately 14,500 workers engaged in creative occupations, from designers at Jaguar Land Rover to creative marketing professionals in utility companies.

“When combined with Warwickshire, the sub-region boasts over 7,000 creative businesses and 80 game development studios, forming one of the UK’s most significant creative clusters. Coventry has developed a particular strength in createch, the fusion of creative skills and emerging technologies to create new products, services and experiences.”

The report explained how the new strategy would sets out a plan to turn potential into progress. It was also in response to national priorities outlined in the Government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan.

It adds: “Our goal is simple: to make Coventry one of the most inclusive and innovative creative cities in the UK – where talent from all backgrounds can start, stay and succeed. Coventry’s creative industries are a driver of economic growth, cultural identity and technological innovation. ”

The strategy is set to be signed off at next week’s (Tuesday) cabinet meeting but councillors at this week’s scrutiny co-ordination meeting were in favour of the plan.

Cllr Dr Lynette Kelly said: “I think this is a really timely proposal. Having a strategy in place means that we can really take advantage of funding streams that are out there and we can possibly get the jump on other local authorities that have not got a strategy in place and are not quite aware of what is going on in their area.

“It is a very important sector of our economy. The number of firms involved is similar to the number of firms in the automotive industry. Yes, a lot will be very small firms but they are still significant and providers of employment and self-employment in the city. So we need to value and appreciate the contribution which the sector makes.

“I also think it is really good news – and something we should be shouting about more – about the input from the two universities we have in this city and the fact that they are funding your role to support creative industries says a lot about the joint working we have between the city council and universities and other sectors. The council cannot do everything. We don’t know everything and the universities are a fantastic resource.”

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/new-strategy-turn-coventry-warwickshire-33376876