London Mayor backs creative sector development strategy

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has today called on all partners across the capital’s creative industries sector to build on the success of recent London Development Agency backed initiatives and continue to work closely together to support London’s drive to be the world’s leading centre of creativity.
Launching his Economic Development Strategy, prepared for him by the London Development agency, the Mayor said: “The London Development Agency is playing an increasingly important role in this vibrant sector and it is important that this continues in partnership with key players in the industry. The creative industries are a significant force behind London’s economy with an annual turnover of £21bn. This strategy shows how integral they are to the capital’s economic future. Together the creative industries generate more new jobs than the financial services sector and currently employ over 600,000 people.
“For the sector to develop further, we need to build on our work to showcase London, improve the promotion of London as a centre for creative industries and spread the benefits of its success across a wider range of communities in the capital.”
The London Development Agency is building on business support programmes through Creative London to provide a wide range of help for the sector. This includes more work to provide small creative enterprises with access to affordable premises, making closer links between new talents and industry, and improving business advice to start-ups and expanding companies in the creative industries.
Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London said: “The work of the London Development Agency has been vital in enabling the creative industries, and particularly the film and media industry, to thrive and to demonstrate internationally that London is an exciting, attractive place to live, work and do business. We look forward to working in partnership with the Agency and key players across the industry to ensure that the capital’s creative entrepreneurs make an even greater contribution to London’s economy and a wider range of people and businesses benefit from this success.”
Film London, which was formed under the auspices of the London Development Agency in 2003, recently announced a 10% increase in the level of filming on the streets of London last year, reflecting the more proactive approach to promoting and co-ordinating London as a film location that has now been fostered.
(GB)