Hub of opportunity at Creative Clyde

Sector in Profile: Creative Industries

Recent years have witnessed a remarkable transformation along the banks of the River Clyde.

The latest project to underline the economic renaissance of this world famous waterway is Creative Clyde, a flourishing, vibrant centre for media, technology and the creatively minded.

Scottish Enterprise are partners in the project alongside Scottish Development International, Glasgow City Council, Creative Scotland, BBC Scotland, the University of Glasgow and private enterprises.

The Creative Clyde concept builds on the success of the Digital Media Quarter which, over the past 10 years, has seen the arrival at Pacific Quay of HQ buildings for BBC Scotland and Scottish Television, the opening of Glasgow Science Centre and Film City Glasgow and the completion of The Hub, which offers quality workspace for up to 50 companies.

The new Clyde Arc road bridge has improved connections with the city centre and Glasgow International airport is only 15 minutes drive from the Digital Media Quarter.

Broadcast media boost

BBC Scotland’s HQ at Pacific Quay is one of Europe’s most sophisticated broadcasting facilities, and the corporation is committed to increasing its network commissioning to an 8.6 percent share in Scotland by 2016.

That commitment has been a key factor in attracting numerous independent production companies and their suppliers to locate in Glasgow.

One example is television production company Shed Productions, which has already announced it is to significantly expand its operations in Scotland following the relocation of BBC show Waterloo Road here.

The move will generate almost £25 million in direct investment over the next two years.

Shed plans to base production in Glasgow. Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise are working with the company to support the relocation and identify appropriate filming locations around the West of Scotland.

A new plan has also been developed for a 15-acre site at Pacific Quay. It provides for modern, loose fit, flexible space to accommodate a range of retail, leisure and residential uses, as well as core offices and workspace for creatively minded businesses.

Skills and experience to support future growth

Employers in Glasgow’s creative industries sector can take advantage of the ready availability of skills and experience to support their future growth.

At Pacific Quay alone, there are 2,500 people employed on site – and this number is projected to grow significantly.

Many more work in creative clusters around the city, underlining the importance of the creative industries to Glasgow’s future economic success.

The pipeline of future talent is being addressed too. The city has 4universities, the renowned Royal Scottish Academy for Music and Drama, and 12 further education colleges. Between them, they produce thousands of graduates each year, with qualifications that are directly relevant to the creative industries.

Investor opportunities
For those who choose to locate and grow in the Creative Clyde area, there is a wealth of support available to help them realise their ambitions.

The public sector partners behind Creative Clyde work closely with inward investors, opening doors to a wide range of opportunities. This extends from potential funding support in the form of equity investment and grants to support staff development and training costs.

Allan Currie, Business Development Director at Scottish Development International, said: “Creative Clyde is a refreshed vision for the location. It takes in both sides of the Clyde at Pacific Quay to include the SECC, Clyde Auditorium ‘Armadillo’, Scottish Hydro Arena and Riverside Museum.

“It helps to showcase the talent that we have within our ever growing creative community and helps us to build on those strengths in order to attract more inward investment in the future.

"Collaboration and networking are vitally important to growing this community, and Creative Clyde allows us to bring them together more effectively under one banner.

“There are also further opportunities for developers at Pacific Quay, providing investors with the chance to be part of this exciting initiative."