New home for Blackpool's creative industries
Blackpool has now officially launched its new creative industries centre.
FYCreatives has been developed as part of Blackpool's Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) and aims to raise the profile of the diverse range of creative businesses across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast.
The project features a £750k refurbishment of a derelict former retail property on Church Street, Blackpool, into a state-of-the-art business centre, offering 14 office studios, multi-use gallery and meeting space, and a hot desk facility geared to the needs of new-start businesses.
Creative industries cover a diverse range of sectors - from computer-based sectors such as design, animation, web development and film, to craftspeople, fashion design, musicians and other performing artists.
The FYC website is also now available at http://www.fycreatives.com/ and offers a wealth of information about the centre itself along with relevant business news and advice.
Cllr Maxine Callow, Blackpool Council's portfolio holder for Tourism and Regeneration, said: "The Fylde Coast has a wealth of talented and creative entrepeneurs with a passion to grow their business from a local base. We need to help them to achieve their potential, and generate new employment along the way."
"FYC is another example of how it is important to create a modern environment for businesses to flourish, and in this case a themed centre for creative businesses that suit an office location.
"Creative industries are very important for the future of our local economy but there has only been a limited focus in the past in terms of what we can do to help them grow further. The combination of quality business space, and bespoke business support will go some way to closing this gap. We have already let 10 out of 14 available units."
FYC will benefit from access to the new Wireless Blackpool service, a £150k project that has created 'hot spots' at over a dozen sites, giving internet access to residents, visitors and conference delegates.
It means that businesses coming into the town centre with a wireless laptop or phone can access selected sites free of charge, and via a voucher scheme, allow selected businesses such as cafes, bars, restaurants and conference venues to give customers unlimited access to the web for designated periods of time.
Comments