• The Mayor’s hugely successful Creative Enterprise Zones will increase permanent affordable creative workspace in the capital by nearly 80,000 sqm by 2028
• The increase in affordable workspace is helping artists put down roots and build their businesses in local areas
• Today these Zones got a further boost with an extra £2.2 million in funding

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced £2.2m of funding to boost creative industries in the capital through his innovative Creative Enterprise Zones.

This latest investment includes an extended commitment to nine of the zones to continue their work supporting artists and creative businesses, a fund to support long-term investments across all of the capital’s 12 zones, and funding to help secure a permanent home for hundreds of artists in Deptford.

Artists are the lifeblood of our creative industries and help to drive the economy, but have faced a number of challenges in the last decade with rising rents and increased development hitting studio numbers.

The Mayor launched his innovative Creative Enterprise Zones in 2018 to support artists and creative businesses to put down roots in their local areas by offering access to affordable creative workspace and the support they need to thrive. At the time artists were being priced out of the neighbourhoods that they had helped to regenerate.

In 2023 a report* showed that the Mayor’s first six Creative Enterprise Zones have become centres of the creative economy, creating jobs and business throughout the pandemic and recovering faster than the wider creative economy. Between 2018 and 2021, creative businesses in those zones grew by 22 per cent at a time when London lost nearly four per cent.

This latest investment will see Croydon, Hackney and Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, Lambeth, Hounslow, Ealing, Waltham Forest, Haringey and Hammersmith and Fulham each receive a share of £630,000** to support artists and creatives in their Creative Enterprise Zones. This will enable them to unlock more affordable creative workspaces, champion planning policies that support cultural initiatives, provide advice and business support, and create jobs as part of the Mayor’s work to reverse the decline in studio spaces. The capital’s other zones, in North Paddington, Brent and Islington, grants continue to run and will be eligible to reapply for funding this year.

A further £250,000 is being awarded to Acme Artist Studios to support the purchase and development of the Propeller Factory in Deptford. The funding will ensure the future of London’s largest affordable artist studios as a permanent home for hundreds of artists.

The Mayor is also extending a grant fund for boroughs to support significant, long-term investment across all of the Creative Enterprise Zones. Up to £1.35m will be is available for building development, large scale equipment and schemes to improve the energy efficiency of studios later this year. This follows a successful first round of £1.2m funding that included 20 brand-new affordable artist studios in Chiswick House and Gardens and a new energy efficient workspace at Raw Materials in Lambeth, to support local artists and makers.

The Mayor’s Creative Enterprise Zones are on course to have increased affordable creative workspace by 71,000 sqm this year, with nearly 80,000 sqm delivered by 2028, as well as helping to improve the energy efficiency of 7,720 m2 of creative workspace. It is also supporting 1500 small creative businesses and creating nearly 700 jobs.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Culture is in the DNA of our great city. Creative Enterprise Zones have transformed London’s culture scene from grassroots level, protecting local artists, making workspaces more sustainable and creating more jobs. It is vital that we continue to invest in our creative future, providing opportunities for young and emerging talent to thrive. This investment will ensure that artists and creatives can stay in the capital, are supported to start-up and grow, and can help Londoners develop a range of creative skills, as we continue to build a better and fairer London for everyone.”

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “London is a thriving creative capital, powering our economy, creating jobs and bringing communities together. Artists and creatives are at the heart of this success, but in the face of great challenges our Creative Enterprise Zones are helping them to put down roots with affordable spaces. Our Zones are on course to deliver nearly 80,000sqm affordable long-term space by 2028, supporting hundreds of creative businesses and helping young Londoners to develop their careers in the creative industries.

Sir Antony Gormley, sculptor, said: “’Studios are to artists what laboratories are to scientists. London needs artists, and artists need studios. I am delighted that the Mayor is supporting more space for creativity in our city.”

Sir Anish Kapoor, sculptor, said: “Sadiq Khan’s announcement is an incredibly important development for London which has the greatest concentration of artists of any city in the world. The constant and continual practice of going to the studio is fundamental to being an artist. Affordable studio spaces not only enable artists to make their work but foster a supportive community in a city. In an increasingly difficult economic environment to make work in, this major increase in affordable studios will make a significant difference.”

Vicky Foxcroft, MP for Lewisham North, said: “I’ve always been proud to represent such a creative constituency and it’s fantastic to see the Mayor of London giving this boost to New Cross and Deptford. This money will help ensure local artists can continue to work and thrive in spaces like the Propellor Factory, keeping Lewisham North firmly on the creative map.”

Sir Grayson Perry, former Acme artist tenant and Acme Propeller Factory Ambassador, said: “Places like this are heritage. A building like this, for me, is as important as a museum. It’s a cultural institution that we need to preserve.” 

Dame Rachel Whiteread, former Acme artist tenant, said: “Acme has been a lifeline to creatives in London, helping to enrich the cultural life of the UK. Artists headline London’s global cultural experience and Acme has provided affordable and accessible studios to artists for five decades. I was lucky enough to have a studio at Carpenters Road in East London for several years. It was very important for my development as an artist, and I became part of an artistic community. Acme Propeller Factory is a cultural hub for 180 artists with plans for development. It will be the UK’s biggest building dedicated solely to artists’ studios and should be a shining star in Lewisham.” 

David Panton OBE, Co-Founder & Chair of the Board, Acme, said: "We’re immensely grateful to the Mayor of London for their support, not only towards the Acme Propeller Factory’s provision of permanent, affordable studios for 180 artists in Lewisham’s Creative Enterprise Zone, but as a vote of confidence in Acme’s 54 year commitment to keep artists working and living in London in terms affordable to their means. The Creative Enterprise Zone initiative helps us and others to deliver that mission in perpetuity."

Councillor Mustak Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Enterprise, Skills and Growth, Tower Hamlets Council, said: “We are delighted to have secured the re-accreditation of the Creative Enterprise Zone. The extension into the Lower Lea Valley is an important element of the shared vision and ambition for the area. We look forward to realising the benefits of the CEZ and hope that it will continue to deliver a strong range of inclusive outcomes for residents, businesses and communities arising from the creative and cultural sector, with continued focus and support from our delivery partners, Hackney Council and the Mayor of London.”

Matthew Carpen, Chief Executive OPDC, said: “Park Royal is home to a thriving, innovative, creative community and through the Acton and Park Royal Creative Enterprise Zone over £200,000 has been invested in place-based projects working directly with key local organisations from across the OPDC area. As the Mayoral Development Corporation responsible for regenerating the area, OPDC is committed to investing in and supporting local people and businesses to grow and thrive. The Mayor’s funding, alongside OPDC investment, enables us to continue to support our incredible local creative community.”