Croydon has been selected by the Mayor of London to be one of the capital’s first Creative Enterprise Zones – a place where creative industries can flourish and grow.

Croydon CEZ is operating primarily across central Croydon in four key thematic areas - Space, Skills and support, Community and Policy in order to deliver an ambitious programme to further the creative sector.  Current projects include:

• Supporting the creation of over 4000 square metres of creative workspace in Croydon, including artist´s studios, performance spaces and hotdesks.
• Building on our rich musical heritage to develop Croydon as a music city – a place that encourages and nurtures emerging talent, breaking down barriers to success in the music industry.
• A cultural internship programme, offering young people paid work placements with leading national and local arts organisations at the London Living Wage.
• A subsidy scheme for under 25s looking for studio or creative workspace, which covers 40% of the cost.

At the heart of our CEZ are people – our Consortium. Consisting of 28 core members, it includes representation from visual arts and designer makers, music, performing arts, the tech sector, co-working providers, developers, the private sector, business support / enterprise and skills, education and community partners. The Consortium represents the creative business community in Croydon and maintains a vital advisory role in relation to the CEZ programme.  They are supported by a smaller steering group and Programme Manager, Marcus Harris – Noble.

Croydon’s creative sector has experienced strong growth over the last six years, with a 93% increase in the level of employment. This is the highest growth rate of any of Croydon’s sectors, with more than 1,100 jobs created.  Croydon CEZ will nurture this growth and take the sector forward to play a leading role in the delivery of future initiatives such as Croydon’s successful bid to become London Borough of Culture in 2023.