North Paddington in Westminster is among several new areas across London to be granted Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ) status.
Becoming a CEZ will see the area granted £170,000 funding from the Mayor of London, (on top of existing funding from the council) with the aim of celebrating creativity and culture in North Paddington.
The scheme will support existing arts and cultural institutions as well as connecting and opening opportunities for local people.
It will also bolster the council's own North Paddington programme which seeks to address the long-standing social-economic and health challenges in the northwest of Westminster.
The zone was launched at an event at the Yaa Centre on Thursday 13 July, attended by Cllr Adam Hug, Leader of the Council and Justine Simons, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries.
Cllr Adam Hug, said:
Westminster is full of talented people with the ideas to thrive in creative industries. As a council we want to see the same support and facilities available across our city. It’s an exciting time for North Paddington, an area with a rich history of Caribbean Carnival Arts and a diverse community bursting with imagination.
“By designating North Paddington a Creative Enterprise Zone the Mayor of London, the council and our local partners are revealing a world of untapped potential - providing space for our communities to explore new opportunities in the creative sector and support for existing business.”
Published: 14 July 2023