Boosting Artistic Sectors: The 'Preston Model's' Influence on Lancashire's Creative Sectors
A New Approach to Boosting the Creative Economy in Lancashire
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has unveiled a strategic plan, known as the "Lancashire Model", aimed at promoting sustainable growth in the creative industries within the region. This innovative approach focuses on leveraging local talent and resources to stimulate economic development.
At the helm of this initiative is Dr Adrian Wright, Deputy Head of School (Business Development and Partnerships) and Director of the Institute for Research into Organisations, Work and Employment (iROWE) at UCLan. He is joined by Professor Philip B Whyman, Co-Director of the Research Centre for Business, Management and Enterprise at UCLan, and Dr Alina Petrescu, Research Fellow in Labour Economics at the Lancashire School of Business and Enterprise.
The "Lancashire Model" is built on the success of the Preston Model of Community Wealth Building, which has demonstrated a multiplier effect of 1.47[1]. This means that an initial investment of £1 million could potentially generate an economic boost of £1.47 million. A broader-based version of the Preston Model, tailored for the creative industries, could result in an even more substantial multiplier effect.
The creative industries, including the video games sector, have seen significant growth in recent years. Global exports of creative goods surpassed $500 billion in 2015, representing a 150% increase since 2000[2]. A new scoping study, commissioned by the Creative Industries Council, is exploring the economic consequences and potential market failures of overseas mergers and acquisitions on the UK video games industry[3].
The "Lancashire Model" also acknowledges the impact of the UK's departure from the EU on the creative industries. A report, titled "Post-Brexit migration and accessing foreign talent in the Creative Industries", details the migrant and skills needs of creative businesses in the UK[4].
The "Lancashire Model" is designed to support creative projects that engage local communities and organizations, facilitate collaboration and partnership among creative professionals, third sector groups, and other stakeholders, and promote the development and continuation of creative initiatives[5]. It also seeks to enhance skills and volunteering in creative sectors for broader economic and social impact, and encourage sustainable and inclusive growth by integrating creativity with wider economic and community development goals.
Anchor institutions like local authorities and universities can play a crucial role in this endeavour by providing economic support through direct procurement expenditure and building local supply chains[6].
A survey of UK creative industry employers was conducted by the Creative Industries Council, and the results were detailed in a report published by UCLan[7]. Mary Lawler, a Research Assistant at UCLan, contributed to this study.
The "Lancashire Model" is set to provide a significant boost to the creative economy in Lancashire, empowering artists, creators, and creative organizations to contribute to public displays, community projects, and innovation that can attract investment and generate employment opportunities in the region.
[1] The Preston Model of Community Wealth Building: https://www.prestonmodel.org/ [2] UNESCO Institute for Statistics: https://uisc.unesco.org/ [3] The impact of overseas mergers and acquisitions on UK video games industry: https://www.creativeindustriescouncil.org.uk/ [4] Post-Brexit migration and accessing foreign talent in the Creative Industries: https://www.creativeindustriescouncil.org.uk/ [5] The Lancashire Model for the creative industries: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/ [6] Anchor Institutions: https://www.anchorinstitutions.net/ [7] Survey of UK creative industry employers: https://www.creativeindustriescouncil.org.uk/
- The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has introduced a strategy, named the "Lancashire Model," which aims to stimulate growth in the local creative industries.
- Dr Adrian Wright, along with Professor Philip B Whyman and Dr Alina Petrescu, are spearheading this initiative, which leverages local resources and talent to foster economic development.
- The Lancashire Model draws inspiration from the Preston Model's success, aiming for a potential increased multiplier effect in the creative industries.4.Global creative industries, such as video games, have experienced substantial growth and reached over $500 billion in exports in 2015.
- A new study, commissioned by the Creative Industries Council, is investigating the economic implications and potential market failures of overseas mergers and acquisitions on the UK video games industry.
- The Lancashire Model also addresses the impact of the UK's departure from the EU on the creative industries, shedding light on migrant and skills needs of creative businesses.
- The Lancashire Model supports local projects, encourages collaboration, enhances skills, promotes sustainable growth, and leverages anchor institutions like local authorities and universities for economic support.
