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Creative Enterprise Zone

Creative Enterprise Zones (CEZs) are a Mayor of London initiative, to support artists, makers and creative businesses in a targeted area. In 2018 London Borough of Hounslow secured funding through the scheme to foster a new CEZ running along the Golden Mile from Chiswick Business Park to Sky in Osterley, as well as Brentford town centre to the south and Boston Manor and Gunnersbury parks to the north.

Creative Enterprise West CEZ supports the local artist community, recognising the locality’s strength as a centre for the broadcast and film sector, and its unique combination of global creative industry giants and a wealth of smaller, independent creative businesses, entrepreneurs and practitioners. The CEZ is guided by the CEZ Consortium, which includes West London Business, University of West London, West Thames College, Sky, West London Chambers, as well as local businesses and creatives.  The CEZ supports West London Business’ broader Screen Capital West initiative. 

Space

Unlocking affordable workspace for creative businesses is a priority. Work in ongoing with developers who are planning projects within the CEZ and a study has been commissioned into the types of workspace that are required (micro business co-working, rehearsal/production, creatives, etc) and their affordability.

  • Delivery of new affordable creative workspace via Digital Dock on Brentford High Street, providing a modern, accessible space for collaboration, skills development and networking. 
  • Programmed delivery of future new affordable workspace/studios working with Council Culture team to be included in the newly renovated Boston Manor mansion – the Jimmy Choo London Fashion Academy took up the space.
  • Programmed delivery of the Boston Manor Arts Market (BAM!) beneath the M4 flyover to establish routes to market and linkages between artists/makers at Boston Manor Studios, Johnson’s Island and the wider zone.
  • Retention of Gillette House as potential affordable creative workspace and ongoing film studio in local planning policy. Long term Gillette Building Studios has now secured planning permission from Hounslow Council.
  • Organised Space Roundtable to discuss with industry leaders how can more studio space could be unlocked.  Participants included representatives of West London landlord/developers, studio development and production location sectors, and Council planning and economic development/growth.  This would eventually lead to commissioning a ground-breaking study on The Economic Benefits of Film/ TV Studios.

Skills and Support

Through the project, specialist advice, guidance, training is available to individuals and start-ups in the creative industries. A support programme has been shaped working with the University of West London and West Thames College, coordinating with their respective qualifications in the creative industries.

  • Delivering the West London Film Competition and West London TV & Film Skills Festival in 2024 and 2025 in collaboration with the other 3 West London CEZs (Hammersmith & Fulham, North Action/Park Royal and Brent) and the West London TV & Film Skills Hub.
  • Conducted the first audit of all screen-related training provided by FE, HEs and independent organisations across West London.
  • During pandemic extended ScreenSkills/Pinewood Studios/DWP’s Aviation to Screen project to include CEZ/Hounslow, Ealing and Hillingdon, as programme was originally designed for Bucks county residents. Ultimately, 37% of respondents came from West London.
  • With CEZ funding for feasibility work, the University of West London launched an MA in Creative Media Entrepreneurship.

Network

The Creatives Network brings together artists, makers, writers and designers, in media or digital from across borough to make connections, share opportunities, and develop a voice for the sector.  The CEZ’s cluster of multinational corporates in media, broadcasting and tech creates exciting opportunities to build capacities and make connections with smaller businesses.

  • Creation of the Creatives Networks, with a membership of over 150 small local creative businesses and with full events schedule programmed. Network sub-groups formed: Creative Artists Network, Screen Group Network, Musicians Group Network and Peer Mentoring Network.
  • Marked the Golden Mile's centenary in 2025 with a programme of celebration, including a Royal visit by the Duke of Gloucester
  • Creative Mile launched in September 2021 to showcase local artists.
  • Coordinated digital round table and CogX21 presentation of Digital Creative Network West with industry partners Avolites, Upstream, Brompton and Sky – CogX Live achieved 150,000+ views and on-demand YouTube of our session more than 10,000 views.
  • Delivered the Virtual Studios in 2020 during lockdown as part of open studio programme. CEZ artists were invited to take part by producing a one-minute video to post on Instagram using the hashtags #virtualstudioswest. Nineteen artists participated, with over 1,000 social media views during the ten-day event.