Leamington Spa identified as key area for UK creative industry

An influential national report has found Leamington Spa to be one of 47 key areas, or “creative clusters”, in the UK’s creative industry.

The Geography of Creativity in the UK identified the areas of most economic importance; Leamington Spa, with over 1500 creative businesses that employ over 7000 people, is one of those named.

Leamington was one of the only “creative clusters” to be chosen in the West Midlands, with the nearest others being Northampton, Oxford and Cheltenham.

The clusters are predominantly in the south of England, especially the southwest, fulfilling common assumptions that the UK creative industries are difficult to access based on location, class and wealth. Only 14 of the 47 “creative clusters” are further north than Peterborough.

The Geography of Creativity in the UK identified the areas of most economic importance; Leamington Spa, with over 1500 creative businesses that employ over 7000 people, is one of those named.

Some prominent cities bucking that trend, however, include Newcastle and Liverpool – only 4 cities, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast and Cardiff, are from outside of England.

Leamington Spa was labelled an area with both high concentration and high growth of industry, with 50% of creative businesses being software and digital based.

The other half is spread amongst advertising, performing arts, design, music, and, to a lesser extent, television and radio.

Sarah Windrum, of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), told Business Quarter: “The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership is working with the cluster and the wider business community to encourage the sharing of best practice across all sectors to create a culture of innovation.

“This will benefit us all as creativity is one of the key drivers for economic growth and productivity.”

Words by Lily Pickard, News Co-Editor at The Boar

Leamington Spa is an oddity in many ways; its reputability for independent coffee shops seems to overshadow its vibrant creative scene, for one. But as this report shows, Leamington Spa’s creativity is one of its greatest economic strengths, if also a point of contention.

The arts in Leamington are broad and far-reaching, if often confined to the North of the town. The town’s Art Gallery, located inside the Royal Pump Rooms, has three permanent galleries, as well as a temporary exhibition gallery which has a constant cycle of new installations and exhibitions.

The Art Gallery’s website claims that their mission is “to provide accessible, varied and vibrant arts and heritage activities for present and future residents and visitors to the district”. This is reflected through the events they host, which are targeted at people from different age and ability groups, and designed to bring people together in artistic, creative environments.

I hope that the continued cultivation of talents in this creative hub of the West Midlands serves to further unite and bring people, and places, together.

Leamington Spa is also home of the ArtsTrail Studios (see www.artstrail.co.uk for more information), whose aim is “to provide creative opportunities for artists specialising in paint, print, photography, and sculpture to showcase and sell their work”. ArtsTrail provide advice and support as well as exhibition space, and are keen to foster and cultivate the talent of residents of Leamington Spa, “regardless of age, colour, creed, sexuality or disability”.

Leamington Spa is an oft-visited haunt on the comedy circuit, too, with both rising stars and household names bringing their acts to the town. Considering the successes of Warwick Arts Centre on the university campus, venues such as the Royal Spa Centre do a very good job of attracting both student and touring shows as a venue.

The most striking disparity in Leamington Spa is that between the North and South of the town, in terms of architecture, affluence and housing. As such, there seem to be more artistic opportunities available in the North of the town – but the ethos of outreach which seems to surround so much of the creative industry in Leamington Spa can only be a good thing. With the town having the spotlight cast on it for its creative successes and local talent, I hope that the continued cultivation of talents in this creative hub of the West Midlands serves to further unite and bring people, and places, together.

Words by Alexei Warshawski, Arts Editor at The Boar