This project will provide a Creative Business Hub in the town centre as part of the Cultural Quarter development.  The centre will have strong links to the adjacent new visual art gallery which will act as a regional anchor for creative industries.

Project Scope

Delivery of a new Creative Business Hub in an existing building on Queen Street within the Cultural Quarter, providing a small number of units for business occupation and providing virtual services and networking opportunities to the wider creative business community.

Refurbishment of the existing building.

Creation of a management company for the running and long term provision of services within the creative hub.

Aims of the project

The creation of an unique service and venue for creative industries which will have strong physical and virtual links to the visual arts facility and adjacent cultural quarter.

The facility will provide:

• A focus for micro and small creative businesses in Colchester and the surrounding area.
• Flexible showcase studio areas on flexible terms
• A hub for the whole Cultural Quarter which will provide a focus for enterprise activities linked to the creative sector.
• A sustainable building which will be capable of commercial operation.
• Close collaboration with firstsite and its funders.

Outcomes of the project

• New jobs created.
• Brownfield land reclaimed/redeveloped for soft end use.
• Delivers enhancements to the historic environment.
• Addresses identified negative perceptions of the area.
• Provides clear evidence of long term sustainability.

Status

Funding for 2009/10 £64,793

Funding for 2010/11 £27,170

IDP Package: Colchester Town Centre

Status as at 30 June 2009:

• Feasibility study into Creative Hub commenced.
• i-Lab session held with representatives from all stakeholder groups to establish key elements of the Hub.

Status as at 30 September 2009:

• Instruction given to carry out full measured survey, structural survey and type 3 survey.

Status as at 31 December 2009:

• Full clean carried out.
• Draft measured survey, structural survey and type 3 surveys completed.
• Steering Group established and initial meeting held in December 2009.
• Meetings for 2010 set.

 Status as at 31 March 2010:

• Steering group meetings taken place.
• Full measured survey, structural survey and type 3 survey completed.
• Workshop planned for May for partners to gain a firm understanding of the core operation of the creative hub.

Status as at 30 June 2010:

• Revised bid for management of creative business centre circulated to five consultants.
• Interviews planned for week commencing 27 July.

 Status as at 30 September 2010:

• Consultants have been engaged to look at 'Creative Colchester' which is expected to complete in early 2011.
• Design being looked at for the creative business hub for which the purchase is aimed to be complete by December 2011.