Digital and Creative Industries

The Northwest has a habit of producing outstanding creative talent and thrives on being at the cutting edge of the digital industry arena. The NWDA understands the importance of this sector of the region's economy and is committed to supporting and promoting the dynamic and growing industries that have made the Northwest their home.

The development of a world class creative and digital business sector has the potential to create up to 10,000 jobs and add £170 million to the regional economy, with additional benefits throughout the Northwest.

Digital and Creative Industries Sector Development Plan

(The action plan in this version is still at the consultation stage but the strategy itself is agreed.)

On 22nd February 2008, UK Government published 'Creative Britain: New Talents for the New Economy', which sets out a strategy for development of creative industries, including a number of initiatives specific to the Northwest. 

Download the Report

Download the Supporting Evidence

Creative

England’s Northwest has a long history of producing outstanding creative talent. It is a region that has an incredible amount to offer the film and TV industry. The many film, TV and post-production companies that call the Northwest their home are supported by technical personnel of the highest calibre, backed up by training facilities such as the International Centre for Digital Content (ICDC) in Liverpool.

The BBC is due to move significant production and commissioning out of London to Salford Quays, making Greater Manchester the largest broadcasting centre outside the capital. Called MediaCityUK, a hub of creative and digital talent will co-exist alongside five BBC departments. 

Read more about MediaCityUK

Northwest Vision + Media works to assist production companies looking to film in England's Northwest and help with suitable filming locations. It also runs the NWDA-funded Regional Attraction Fund, a substantial investment tool for high growth television companies based in the Northwest and independent television companies seeking to move production to the region.

Digital

Digitally-driven industries make an important contribution to the regional economy, with 5,000 firms employing over 63,000 people. The sector encompasses Digital Industries, Information and Communication Technologies and New Media.  The largest sectors in terms of employment are software consultancy and supply, multi-media, telecommunications and digital broadcasting. 

The sector, which has an annual turnover of £6.45 billion, has experienced considerable growth both nationally and regionally. The aim now is to foster an environment that allows it to continue to expand.

The region is home to companies including BT, Cisco, Oracle, Fraser Williams, Sony Psygnosis, Telecity, Marconi, Amaze, Time, Granada Media, Infogrames, Warthog, I-Soft, Surfcontrol, Your Communications, Opal Telecom, Ericsson, Netario, Formfill and Fujitsu. 

At the heart of the new NWDA-financed Edge Lane project in Liverpool is Liverpool Digital. Liverpool Digital focuses on the ICT, digital and creative industries as a regional centre of excellence. The entire development will take until 2013 to reach its full potential, creating up to 7,000 jobs in the process.

Liverpool Digital will accommodate the proposed National Microsystems Packaging Centre, a unique facility in the UK housing high technology research and development companies.