A study carried out by NESTA with the universities of Bristol and Cardiff has highlighted the creative hotspots around the UK. Scotland has one – the capital.
Based upon the number of people working in all creative areas – the arts, architecture, media, publishing and even games development – the hotspots highlight major clusters of creative industries.
According to the research, Edinburgh can boast over 22,000 people working in the creative sector in companies “such as RockStar North(sic) in gaming and Canongate Books in publishing.”
Other clusters, outside London, include Bath, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge and Manchester.
Nesta head of policy and research Stian Westlake, said: “This mapping shows the centres of excellence we have across the country.
“With the right policy interventions, these creative clusters have the potential to become global hubs for high-growth, innovative creative industries and create wider economic growth.”
“City leaders launched a campaign to promote Edinburgh as a leading destination for creative industries earlier this year. It is hoped that by highlighting the quality of life, world-leading events and the strength of the city’s economy will help sectors to grow, persuade companies to relocate to the city and lure talent from abroad.
Tom Buchanan, economic development leader at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “As the sector is dominated by small businesses, it is also our ‘hidden’ sector and does not get the recognition it deserves.”
“Kenneth Wardrop, chief executive of the Destination Edinburgh Marketing Alliance, which is responsible for promoting the capital as a business location, said: “It’s great to hear that Edinburgh is once again being recognised as a centre of creativity and innovation.
“Be it design, the games industry, advertising or our world- class festivals, this city is packed with talent doing inspirational things on a global level.””
You must admit that it is nice to see game being name-checked in there alongside the festivals and more traditional (non digital) creative areas.
We tried to reach Dundee for comment while writing this article, but got stuck in snow.
Edinburgh is underrated as a creative capital. Hopefully this new decade will showcase our creativity.