Creative industries contribute some 6.2% to the UK economy with over 2 million people employed nationally. Creative industries directly affect place as well as economic benefit, as the availability of ‘creatives’ provides a key opportunity to broaden thinking and provide a different perspective on the issues.

Key Facts

• There are 1664 businesses in the creative sector across the Haven Gateway employing 18,000 people with a turnover in excess of £1.2bn annually.
• The sector accounts for 8.8% of all employment in Haven Gateway, as compared with 6.7% in the UK.
• Over the next 5 years, the sector will require an additional 2,570 permanent FTE employees and an additional 7,000 freelance / temporary employees will be required. In 5 years’ time, creative employment in the area will total 27,800 FTE jobs – an increase of 22% on current levels.
• The Haven Gateway has three major cultural economic hubs – in Ipswich (Dance East/New Wolsey), at Aldeburgh (Aldeburgh Music) and Colchester (First Site due to open in 2011)

The Market

The creative industries contribute some 6.2% to the UK economy and are predicted to grow on average at more than double the rate of the rest of the economy – some 150,000 more people mostly in managerial, professional and highly skilled occupations. The UK has the largest music market in the EU, and third largest in the world. The UK is also the biggest developer base in Europe for computer games.