Job creation in £½m boost

The money will lead to job creation in new start-ups, help existing businesses to thrive and develop fresh projects in Nottinghamshire.

The £500,000 award from Arts Council England’s Creative Local Growth Fund will be spread across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

A consortium of organisations, led by Nottingham-based Creative Quarter Company, is one of nine in England to be awarded money.

The Creative Quarter Company’s project The Big House will help 200 business and 90 new enterprises to thrive.

They will be offered tailored business support, from marketing and finance advice to digital and technical expertise.

The Big House consortium includes Broadway and New Art Exchange in Nottingham as well as Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Trent University.

Peter Knott, area director for Arts Council England, said: “This is brilliant news for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The creative industries are worth £84.1 billion each year to the UK economy and public investment in arts and culture is one of the key factores in driving forward this growth.

“We’re looking forward to working with our partners across both counties to support creative and cultural businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups to get off the ground and grow.”

Craig Chettle, chairman of the Creative Quarter Company, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded Creative Local Growth fund support for The Big House programme, and thank the amazing consortium of cultural organisations who have made it possible.

“The programme will help create new jobs, launch new start-ups, help businesses grow and thrive and develop exciting new creative and cultural projects for local people.

“Above all, the programme will enable businesses at all levels to work collaboratively and innovatively, with everyone from new entrepreneurs to thriving SMEs all represented in The Big House.”

The Big House programme builds on the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership plans for economic growth in the creative and digital industries.