Heritage Works for Creative Businesses (NP 234)

The aim of this follow-on research is to offer guidance and encouragement to investors interested in taking on unused or under-used historic buildings with a view to converting them for use by creative businesses, which form one of the key growth sectors in the UK economy and which are therefore likely to be expanding in the next few years.

The objectives can be expressed in terms of three questions: 1. How and to what extent have historic buildings added value to creative businesses? This would involve analysis of creative uses such as the Custard Factory in Digbeth, the Hat Factory in Luton, Hotwalls in Portsmouth and the Biscuit Factory in Ouseburn, highlighting both the contribution made to the success of these places by their historic character and the value derived from it. Substantive case studies are not required here but will instead be commissioned separately.

2. Where in England do the favourable circumstances combine to suggest that creative businesses could be attracted to locate there when growing?

In a similar way as done for the north of England by GC Insight, this section would look at where the non-heritage vital ingredients for creative businesses overlap with heritage opportunity areas such that, with appropriate planning policies and financing models, these localities would make good nurseries for growing creative businesses. It would also highlight opportunities for heritage attractions to serve not as premises for creative businesses but as anchor sites - as footfall generators or showcases/outlets for the products of neighbouring creative businesses.

3. In favourable localities, what help might commercial developers, building preservation trusts and community development trusts need to bring to the market sustainable, inspiring and affordable historic premises attractive to creative businesses looking to expand?

This section would adapt the recent 'Heritage Works for Housing' guidance to take into account the particular demands of creative businesses, such as flexible layouts, playful design, gigabit digital connectivity, communal areas, individual maker spaces and 'third spaces'.