Where great ideas flow
Creative Clyde is a wonderful environment where originality of thought flourishes and great ideas are shared. Creative Clyde is a flourishing, vibrant centre for media, technology and creatively minded businesses. It builds on Glasgow s growing status as a hub for the creative industries, delivering new jobs and economic growth for the city. And, it s a natural home for industries like film, TV and radio, advertising, publishing and design, web and digital media, animation, software and games development. Glasgow is a city steeped in innovation and creativity. It s already home to around 16,000 people who work for local, national and international creative organisations. That s around 4% of the city s total workforce and the numbers are growing. 2
A natural home for media, technology and creatively-minded businesses, Creative Clyde is a flourishing, vibrant community where great ideas and creative energy flow. Over the past two centuries, the city has consistently demonstrated its ability to respond to challenges and re-invent itself. So, it s no empty boast to say Glasgow embodies the spirit of originality, combined with the industriousness needed to succeed. The city s creative community extends across the whole city with well established clusters of activity in the Merchant City, City Centre and West End. Right at the heart of the Creative Clyde concept is Pacific Quay, on the banks of the River Clyde. Over the past ten years, this waterfront area has been transformed through the arrival of HQ buildings for BBC Scotland and STV, the opening of Glasgow Science Centre and Film City Glasgow and the completion of The Hub, with its top quality, flexible workspace for creative companies. And, directly across the river, on the north bank, there is the world class Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, the Clyde Auditorium, The Hydro and Riverside Museum, one of Glasgow s latest landmark buildings. 3
Where we are Creative Clyde an inspiring place to work, live and play 4
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Great location Creative Clyde offers the perfect environment for creative companies to locate and grow, including purpose built high quality accommodation and high bandwidth connectivity. Together with favourable staff and property costs, this makes Glasgow a very attractive, cost competitive location. There s a real emphasis on developing modern business space to meet the needs of today s high growth employers such as the exciting new masterplan proposals for Pacific Quay. Modern, loose fit, flexible space will accommodate a range of different uses including retail, leisure and residential, as well as core workspace for creatively minded businesses. A 14.5 hectare site at Pacific Quay was accorded Enterprise Area status by the Scottish Government in January 2012, enabling a range of specific incentives to encourage private investment there. 6
Great infrastructure Whether it s travelling internationally on business or providing an easy commute for employees, the city offers exceptional transport links. Glasgow International Airport is less than 15 minutes drive from the City Centre and a further two international airports are within 45 minutes drive time. Glasgow also boasts the UK s largest suburban rail network outside London and an underground rail system. Ready access to Scotland s motorway network and all points north, south, east and west is achieved through the M8, M74 and M77 motorways. 7
Great people For employers in Glasgow s creative industries, there s a ready availability of skills and experience, to support their future growth. At Pacific Quay alone, there are 2,300 people employed on site and this number is projected to grow significantly. Thousands more work in the other creative clusters around the city, underlining the importance of the creative industries to Glasgow s future economic success. And, the pipeline of future talent is being addressed too; through the city s four universities, the renowned Royal Conservatoire, Glasgow School of Art and twelve FE colleges. Together, they produce thousands of graduates each year, with qualifications directly relevant to the creative industries. 8
Above: Glasgow School of Art s Digital Design Studio hosts one of Europe s largest labs for 3D visualisation. Right: The Savalas Dolby Premier Studio at Film City Glasgow is one of only three in the UK. Left: Touzie Tyke, motion graphics and animation studio, located in Film City Glasgow. 9
Quality of life As a stylish, vibrant, colourful centre with something for everyone, Glasgow is one of Europe s great cities. Consistently voted the UK s best shopping experience outside London, the city is packed with attractive malls, designer boutiques and speciality shops, catering for every taste. Eating out is another pleasure with a stunning selection of gourmet restaurants, cafes, bars and bistros. As home to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera, Glasgow scores highly on the arts and culture front, not to mention its museums and art galleries, which rank on a worldwide scale. With more green space per square mile than any other UK city, Glasgow is known affectionately as the dear green place. House hunters in Glasgow are spoilt for choice. From trendy waterfront apartments to generously proportioned Victorian flats and townhouses in Glasgow s West End; from loft apartments in the Merchant City to substantial family villas in outstanding high quality suburbs, Glasgow has it all. 11
Support on hand There s a wealth of support for businesses in the Creative Clyde community, to help them realise their growth ambitions. The Creative Clyde team works closely with inward investors and indigenous companies, opening doors to a wide range of opportunities, including grants to support staff development and training costs. What s more, Glasgow has assisted area status, so businesses based there are eligible for Regional Selective Assistance grants to support investment in capital or jobs. 12
Strength in partnership Creative Clyde is a collaborative partnership with a strategic development group made up of senior decision makers from a range of organisations, these include: Scottish Enterprise / Glasgow City Council / Creative Scotland / BBC Scotland / University of Glasgow / Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) / STV / Raise the Roof Productions / GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART / Glasgow Chamber of Commerce / Film City Glasgow 13
Come join our creative community! Our community is still growing and it s a perfect time for you to get involved. If you are a media, technology or creatively-minded business located in Glasgow and want to be part of the Creative Clyde community, get in touch today to have your business profile added to the Creative Clyde website. If you are thinking about a new location for your creative business, then get in touch today to discover more on what Glasgow and Creative Clyde offers. www.creativeclyde.com / info@creativeclyde.com
Thanks to Cover image: istock Photo McAteer Photograph images: pages 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Digital Design Studio, Glasgow School of Art image: page 9. Contact Avril McAllister on 0141 566 1478 Savalas & Touzie Tyke, Film City Glasgow images: page 8, 9 7N Architects images: pages 6, 7, 15 To get more information on Creative Clyde and the opportunities it offers, visit the website or send us an email. SE/3567/May12 info@creativeclyde.com www.creativeclyde.com