Brixton Creative Enterprise Zone re-accredited by The Mayor of London

On Thursday, 15 January, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced £2.2m of funding to boost creative industries in the capital through his innovative Creative Enterprise Zones initiative, which includes the Brixton CEZ. The Lambeth Growth Plan recognises the importance of Brixton CEZ in supporting inclusive growth in the creative industries and creating a more accessible, innovative and modern economy.

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.

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 (of which is £550,000 UK Shared Prosperity Funding) 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.

Since becoming one of the first six Creative Enterprise Zones in 2018, Brixton has made major strides in strengthening its creative economy. The CEZ designation has driven inclusive growth by improving access to affordable workspace, creative skills development, and employment – particularly for underrepresented communities. To date, 6,387 sqm of affordable workspace has been delivered, supporting 1,157 jobs and benefiting 258 businesses. Key projects include new workspaces through the Future Workspace Fund at 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning, LJ Works, Photofusion, Raw Material, and Brixton House and Carlton Mansions.  The CEZ has also fostered partnerships between education providers, cultural institutions, and creative businesses – opening up 3,893 opportunities for local young talent through initiatives like ELEVATE.

Councillor Marcia Cameron stands in Lambeth Town Hall
“We’re delighted to have secured the re-accreditation of the Brixton Creative Enterprise Zone for a further three years.  Brixton is a vital part of our local economy. We want to ensure that Brixton remains a place where artists and creative businesses can thrive, and where local people can access real opportunities in the creative industries regardless of background. Over the next three years, we will deliver an ambitious action plan to strengthen the Brixton CEZ and encourage sustainable growth. Ensuring the zone builds as a thriving hub for creative and cultural enterprise and helping us achieve our growth plan ambition of promoting Brixton as an international destination.”
Councillor Marcia Cameron
Cabinet Member for Economic Inclusion
A group of people and performers in colourful outfits pose and smile on a closed street in Brixton during a Summer Streets event, with a sign on the road reading “Summer Streets by the Mayor of London.”
 “Artists and creatives are at the heart of our capital’s success, and our Creative Enterprise Zones are helping them to put down roots with affordable spaces. Brixton’s Creative Enterprise Zone has been hugely successful, and this further investment will ensure even more creatives have access to affordable workspaces, benefiting jobs and businesses. We’re proud that across London, 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, as we build a better London for everyone.”
Justine Simons OBE
Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries

The Creative Enterprise Zones are a key part of The Mayor’s wider work to support creative spaces across the capital. This includes creating the most pro-culture ever London Plan and the Cultural Infrastructure Plan to protect important cultural spaces, introducing the Culture and Communities at Risk Office to offer advice and support to venues, and helping to create the Creative Land Trust to protect workspaces.

For more information about the Creative Enterprise Zones programme visit the Mayor of London website.

For more information about the Brixton CEZ visit contact the team at culture@lambeth.gov.uk