Exploring and analyzing factors shaping England's rural creative hotspots, or artistic micro-communities.
The UK's departure from the EU has had a significant impact on the way British firms in the Creative Industries trade and work with their European counterparts. Amidst these changes, a new research study sheds light on the potential for growth and development within rural areas of England.
Led by the University of Sussex and funded by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE), the study titled "Mapping and examining the determinants of England's rural creative microclusters" has found that rural creative firms cluster in England, with around a third of all rural creative firms operating within a cluster.
Dr Inge Hill, a Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at The Open University Business School, and Dr Jorge Velez Ospina, a Research Fellow in Innovation and Creative Industries, were among the researchers involved in the study. Dr Josh Siepel, an Associate Professor in the Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex Business School, also contributed to the research.
The study finds evidence that being close to a university supports the emergence of rural creative clusters. It also reveals that the drivers of rural creative clusters are similar to those in urban areas, except for the 'presence of informal networks,' where the data wasn't strong enough to be a determining factor behind rural microclustering.
Policy interventions can support the formation of informal networks in rural creative microclusters primarily through targeted funding, mentoring, and fostering collaboration platforms. Such interventions may include grant schemes for innovation projects, business mentoring, and incentives for clustering in specific regions, as observed in programs like the UK’s DCMS Create Growth Programme and local innovation mentoring projects in rural East England.
These networks facilitate knowledge spillovers and innovation, enhancing the overall productivity and economic dynamism of rural areas beyond formal contracts or alliances. The resulting rural economic growth comes from increased innovation capacity, improved business sustainability, and enhanced local collaboration and trust, which collectively support vibrant, resilient rural creative economies.
Felton Gallery 45, a microcluster just off the A1 in Northumberland, is an example of what happens when creative businesses cluster together. Being on the same site brings advantages for the creatives at Felton Gallery 45, as each of the artists' own promotion of their work brings customers into the shared space, which has a knock-on effect for the other businesses.
The impact on rural economic growth from fostering informal networks in creative microclusters can be significant. Networks enhance information flow and collaboration, leading to innovation spillovers that benefit not only central firms but also the broader community. Informal connections promote trust and open knowledge sharing, which fuel business growth, diversification, and resilience in rural economies.
By strengthening these networks, rural microclusters can increase productivity, attract investment, and stimulate local employment, contributing in turn to more sustainable, diversified economic growth in rural areas. The concept of 'Left Behind Britain' indicates the existence of pockets of rural life insufficiently served with transport, economic and social infrastructure, education, personal mobility, and health. However, the new research suggests that policy interventions could have a significant positive impact in rural locations, particularly within the context of the Levelling Up agenda.
Rural communities in England contribute around 16% GVA, equivalent to around £261 billion. There is, however, considerable room for growth, up to £347 billion higher than now according to some studies. The study's findings underscore the importance of strategic policy support in leveraging informal networks in rural creative microclusters as catalysts for broader rural economic development.
[1] Source: University of Sussex (2022). Mapping and examining the determinants of England's rural creative microclusters. [online] Available at: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/news/research/mapping-and-examining-the-determinants-of-england-s-rural-creative-microclusters [Accessed 15 April 2022].
[2] Source: HM Government (2021). Levelling Up the UK: A Modern Industrial Strategy. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/levelling-up-the-uk-a-modern-industrial-strategy/levelling-up-the-uk-a-modern-industrial-strategy [Accessed 15 April 2022].
- The research study led by the University of Sussex reveals that rural creative firms in England often cluster together and around a third of these firms operate within a cluster.
- The study finds evidence that being close to a university supports the emergence of rural creative clusters.
- Policy interventions can support the formation of informal networks in rural creative microclusters, aiding the overall productivity and economic dynamism of rural areas.
- The impact on rural economic growth from fostering informal networks in creative microclusters can be significant, contributing to more sustainable, diversified growth in rural areas.
- The study's findings suggest that policy interventions could have a positive impact in rural locations, particularly within the context of the Levelling Up agenda.
- Informal connections promote trust and open knowledge sharing, which fuel business growth, diversification, and resilience in rural economies.
- Rural communities in England contribute around 16% GVA, equivalent to around £261 billion, but there is room for growth, up to £347 billion higher than now according to some studies.
- By strengthening these networks, rural microclusters can increase productivity, attract investment, and stimulate local employment, effectively catalyzing broader rural economic development.
