Derbyshire shows strongest creative industries business growth in East Midlands

Derbyshire shows strongest creative industries business growth in East Midlands

From art to architecture, music to marketing, the creative industries sector is growing at a healthy rate across all counties in the East Midlands, according to a recent report by BOP Consulting. Over the period surveyed (2001-2005), Derbyshire demonstrated the greatest growth in the region with the number of creative businesses increasing by 35.5%, compared to 19% for the East Midlands as a whole. Employment figures rose 17.5% compared to 8%.

The study found that in 2005, the creative industries accounted for 8.3% of all businesses in the East Midlands, a similar figure to the national average. A separate nationwide report also recently reported the creative sector contributes £60 billion a year – 7.3% - to the UK economy, and that over the past decade, the creative sector has grown at twice the rate of the economy as a whole.

“It’s clear that creative people are finding the East Midlands, and Derbyshire in particular, attractive to start-up and grow creative businesses,” commented Patrick Welsh, Development Director of CIN, the creative industries networking organisation based in Derby. “Quality of life, a strong regional economy and targeted business support have all played a key role. A vibrant creative economy makes the region attractive to investors, business and employees.”

In the East Midlands, the number of creative industries businesses and jobs grew by a greater degree in rural areas than in urban areas. The greatest growth was experienced in the visual arts and design sub sector of the creative industries, followed by the audio-visual sector, the books and press sector, and the performance sector.

For furtehr information contact : Email: patrick@creative-cin.co.uk