Do we need a national network of design centres?

What's the issue here?

Addressing: Competitiveness in industry, Supporting growth in the creative economy

Note: This project is part of The Cox Review of Creativity in Business

Design Council, working with the London Development Agency

The Cox Review recommended that a network of ‘Creativity and Innovation’ centres should be set up throughout the UK with a central hub in London.

Their objectives would be

  • Positioning the UK as a world-class source of creative talent
  • Increasing the uptake of creative services by UK businesses
  • Strengthening the interaction between all the UK bodies who promote and represent creative skills and services
  • Enhancing the public's awareness of how creativity and innovation are relevant to their lives

 

What would these centres include?

The Cox Review suggested that they might include some, or all, of the following facilities:

  • Exhibition space
  • Seminar facilities
  • A hub for creative industry gatherings
  • Space for professional and trade bodies
  • Incubator spaces for new creative businesses
  • Studio spaces for creative companies
  • Retail and restuarant space

 

So what happens now?

 The London Development Agency is preparing a feasibility report, which should be complete in the new year.

Progress on this issue

The timeline of activity since the Cox Review

February 2007

The feasibility study is on course and due to complete in May, at which point the Design Council and London Development Agency will be making their recommendations to government.

December 2006

The LDA began conducting a feasibility study into the location of the London Hub and functions of the regional spokes.


November 2005

The Cox Review recommended that a network of ‘Creativity and Innovation’ centres should be set up throughout the UK with a central hub in London.

 

YOUR PERSPECTIVES ON THIS ISSUE

Stuart MacDonald, Head of Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen

Professor Stuart MacDonald

Gray's School of Art, speaking at the Design Council's Competitiveness Summit, December 2006

 

Quote: For some of us, the Lighthouse in Glasgow is already the national centre for design and creativity!
Graham Hitchen

Graham Hitchen

Project Director, International Centre Design and Innovation, London Development Agency

 

Quote: The proposed International Design Business Exchange in London will be a trading place, a centre for ideas and innovation, a meeting point for different discplines. Along with a strong formal programme, there will be informal networks and spaces for new collaborations.

Recent submissions

Richard Stannard said on 08/03/2007 at 11:19

Design Centres? Yes please; we had one in the Haymarket for decades and it was axed by government in the 90s, so government should have no role whatsoever in this new initiative; they are too politically-minded. There must be stats about the old Design Centre concerning visitors, especially from overseas? Whenever I visited it was full of people. It was a mecca for excellent design and a fabulous showcase of talent and innovation, with a perfect location in the centre of The Haymarket.