On 23 June 2025, the UK Government announced a groundbreaking £380 million investment package aimed at supercharging the creative industries — from grassroots music venues to world-class film studios. As part of a broader Creative Industries Sector Plan, published alongside the Government’s Industrial Strategy, this bold initiative sets out to nearly double business investment in the sector by 2035. With a focus on driving regional growth, bolstering financial resilience, and maintaining global competitiveness, this package is poised to create thousands of new jobs and unlock fresh opportunities for creative professionals across the country.

One key element of the plan is the £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund, which supports creative businesses in six regions outside London. As local investment grows, so will the need for flexible, short-term spaces for rehearsals, exhibitions, and pop-up events. Real-world examples like Creative Folkestone show how accessible creative spaces can revitalise communities and attract talent. In Folkestone, over 100 buildings have been converted into studios and shops, reaching a 98% occupancy rate and helping to establish the town as a growing cultural hub. Platforms like SpaceCloud, which offer hourly venue hire, are well placed to support this shift — connecting local creators with the spaces they need, when they need them.

The plan also includes tailored support packages for key sectors — £75 million for film and TV development and training, £30 million for emerging musicians and grassroots venues, £30 million to expand the UK Games Fund, and continued backing for rising fashion designers through NEWGEN. As these industries grow and diversify their activities, demand for flexible spaces to rehearse, perform, and showcase work will continue to rise. In London, grassroots venues like Omeara demonstrate how accessible, well-equipped spaces can help launch creative careers. Since opening in 2016, Omeara has hosted early shows from now-prominent artists such as Sam Fender, Maggie Rogers, and Jorja Smith. Its success highlights how small-scale venues — when supported as part of a wider industry ecosystem — can play a critical role in nurturing new talent.

As creative activity expands across the UK, demand for accessible, flexible spaces to host rehearsals, screenings, meetings, and pop-up events will rise accordingly. This is where SpaceCloud plays a vital role. Our platform connects creative professionals and businesses with hourly hire spaces tailored to their needs — whether a rehearsal studio, a gallery, or a meeting room. By simplifying the process of finding and booking the perfect space, we empower creators to bring their ideas to life, no matter their location

With the government’s commitment to supporting local creative growth now firmly established, the groundwork has been laid for a more inclusive and innovative future for the UK’s creative economy. Building a city where creative communities can truly flourish will require both physical, brick-and-mortar spaces and digital platforms that connect and empower them. As new projects and opportunities arise, SpaceCloud will actively drive this journey forward—helping creative communities thrive, one space at a time.

https://www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/folkestone-creative-quarter/available-spaces/18/

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