The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has officially declared Ealing Road and Alperton (ERA) a Creative Enterprise Zone. The new designation will boost the area’s creative industries and help nurture emerging talent from across the borough.

The new Creative Enterprise Zone stretches from Ealing Road (at the intersection with Wembley High Road) to the north side of the Grand Union Canal in Alperton. The accreditation recognises the area’s rich culture and potential for creative growth.

Creative Enterprise Zones are a Mayoral initiative designed to help artists and creatives put down roots in their local area, with affordable workspaces and support to start-up and grow.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE, officially announced the new zone, along with two more in Islington and Westminster during the London Made Me event on 13 July 2023.

The new zone will build on the success of the thriving South Asian fashion and jewellery scene in Ealing Road, paired with the redevelopment of nearby Alperton, one of the biggest growth areas in Brent.

The ambitious programme will encourage creative growth by:

• Creating 2000 sqm of affordable, permanent workspaces for local talent
• Developing a creative network of over 300 people
• Investing in local sustainable projects and creating a local circular economy
• Creating 30 new jobs in the creative industry
• Generating training, apprenticeship and work experience opportunities

From today, there are now 12 Creative Enterprise Zones across the capital: Brent, Croydon, Ealing, Hackney and Tower Hamlets (cross-borough zone), Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Waltham Forest and Westminster.

“We are delighted that Ealing Road and Alperton have been awarded creative enterprise zone status. Our borough is bursting at the seams with creative talent, and this will create the perfect environment for artists and creatives to come together, set up shop, expand and flourish.

“Ealing Road, at the heart of the new zone, is already home to more than 200 independent businesses. The vibrant high street is a cultural hotspot adorned with incredible murals, light displays and colourful art installations celebrating the local South Asian community. In Alperton we have a number of industrial sites along with a major growth area, set to be transformed in the coming years with new homes, offices, studios and much more.

“The new zone – ERA, will help connect the two areas and open up new, and importantly local, manufacturing opportunities for our creatives. It will also support us to create more affordable workspaces for local talent to stay and expand, as well as generating more creative employment opportunities for all of our residents.

“We’re excited to put Ealing Road and Alperton on the map as an incubator for creativity and innovation for generations to come.”

The Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, Justine Simons OBE, said:

“Creative Enterprise Zones have been a game changer for culture in London, enabling artists and creatives to put down roots and grow with access to affordable creative workspaces.

“I am delighted to have announced Ealing Road and Alperton as one of our newest zones and to be partnering with local authorities and creatives to ensure that artists have affordable places to work across the capital. Working with Brent we will build upon specialised skills in jewellery-making and fashion design, creating more than 2000 sqm of new affordable workspace and 30 new jobs.

“It is vital that we continue to invest in our creative future and provide opportunities for young and emerging talent to thrive as we build a better and fairer London for everyone.”

Local creative Warren Reily, Social Designer, Applied Artist and Associate Creative Director of The Mixed Museum, said: 

“As a local artist and designer, I celebrate the recognition of this Creative Enterprise Zone. Through this transformative programme, I aspire to amplify my profile and business prospects while continuing my work of innovation for the community. I hope to cultivate a thriving creative business ecosystem that breathes life into the tapestry of our diverse community.”

Local creatives that would like to help shape the new programme are invited to sign up.