Creative Enterprise Zone celebration event at The Yard Theatre
Partners, businesses and community leaders came together to celebrate the successful Hackney Wick and Lower Lea Valley Creative Enterprise Zone, recognising its achievements in supporting creative businesses, affordable workspace and local economic growth.
Hosted by Tower Hamlets Council and Hackney Council at the newly reopened Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick, the event marked the continuation of its work with the Mayor of London and provided an opportunity to reflect on its impact to date, while looking ahead to priorities for the next three years.
The event brought together representatives from the Mayor of London, local authorities, community organisations, workspace providers and businesses to celebrate achievements to date and explore priorities for the next phase of delivery.
The Hackney Wick and Lower Lea Valley zone is one of the Mayor of London’s 12 Creative Enterprise Zones and one of nine zones re-accredited this year to continue delivering support for city’s culture and creative industries.
Delivered in partnership by Tower Hamlets Council and Hackney Council, the programme supports creative businesses to grow, access affordable workspace and create opportunities for local communities.
Today, nearly 500 creative businesses are based within just the original boundaries of the Zone in Hackney Wick Fish Island, with 96 per cent working in creative production sectors.
The Creative Enterprise Zone expanded in 2025 to include the Lower Lea Valley area of Tower Hamlets, strengthening links between creative businesses, local residents and the wider economy.
The event showcased the impact of the programme across East London and highlighted the role of partnership working in supporting one of London's most significant creative clusters. Attendees also discussed priorities for the next phase of the programme, including affordable workspace, innovation, sustainability, inward investment and opportunities for local residents and entrepreneurs
Guests also heard about the growing importance of Hackney Wick and the Lower Lea Valley as a centre for creative production and sustainable enterprise, before taking part in a tour of The Yard Theatre's new building.
Since the Zone was established in 2018:
- Creative jobs have increased by 140 per cent
- The number of creative businesses has grown by around 30 per cent
- Hundreds of businesses have accessed business support, funding and specialist advice.
Cllr Shenaly Miah, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Enterprise, Skills and Growth at Tower Hamlets Council, said:
"I am incredibly proud of the creativity, talent and entrepreneurial spirit that exists across Tower Hamlets and the wider Lower Lea Valley. Today's event is an opportunity to celebrate the artists, makers and businesses who help make this one of London's most exciting creative communities.
"The Creative Enterprise Zone has delivered real benefits for local businesses and creatives, supporting affordable workspace and new opportunities. While we celebrate what has been achieved, we are also looking ahead and working with our partners to ensure creativity continues to flourish across east London for years to come."
Cllr Sam Mathys, Cabinet Member for Culture, Nightlife, Resilience and Business Standards at Hackney Council, said:
“Creatives are so important to Hackney’s identity and form a significant part of our local economy.
"Nearly 500 creative and nightlife businesses call Hackney Wick and Fish Island their home, with many more in the Lower Lea Valley - an ecosystem of artists and makers that is growing with the support of the creative enterprise zone.
“I’m really pleased to be able to join Hackney Wick businesses today to celebrate their success and discuss how we can continue to support them to thrive.”
Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said:
“Artists are the lifeblood of our creative industries and play an important role in helping to drive our economy. This is why the Mayor established Creative Enterprise Zones to provide more support and help reverse the decline of artist studios. I’m pleased to say the policy has proven a great success and we’re delighted that these 12 innovative zones are set to increase affordable creative workspace by 71,000 sqm this year the equivalent of 10 football pitches.
"Hackney Wick and the Lower Lea Valley are home to an extraordinary community of artists, makers, designers and creative businesses, and are a wonderful example of what can be achieved. By supporting artists we are helping to protect and strengthen the local economy and ensure that it remains a place where creativity can flourish and thrive for years to come as we build a better London for everyone.”
Over the next three years, partners will continue to support business growth, innovation and collaboration, while working to secure investment and protect affordable creative workspace.
Creative Enterprise Zones are a flagship cultural initiative from the Mayor of London. They support artists and creatives to put down roots in the capital and grow with access to affordable creative workspace.
There are 12 zones spanning 13 boroughs across the city, all helping to future-proof London as a world-beating creative capital, while nurturing the city's creative communities at a grassroots level.
The Hackney Wick and Lower Lea Valley Creative Enterprise Zone is delivered by Tower Hamlets Council and Hackney Council.
Creative businesses interested in support opportunities can find out more about the Creative Enterprise Zone.
Posted on Thursday 17th September 2026