“Elevating” the North’s film and television production sector are among plans set out to add £2.7bn to the Northern economy.
The NP11 group of 11 Northern Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) have worked with organisations including Arts Council England, the Environment Agency Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund, to develop a ‘Place Strategy for the North’.
This aims to tackle the cost-of-living crisis as well as regenerating the region.
The Strategy sets out how a “strengthened place proposition” will boost investment and relocation interest, future prosperity and sustainability.
In addition to content creation, it states that nature recovery and green space will play a key role in the plans. Cultural activity includes a “pan-Northern” programme of creative and cultural zones, inspired by those in the North of Tyne and St John’s in Manchester.
“With the UK facing significant economic challenges, it’s vital that we continue to invest in local places, creating important local economic growth and ensuring people feel optimistic about the future of their communities,” explained Lord Inglewood DL, Chair of Cumbria LEP, and the reports co-author.
“A Place Strategy for the North sets out the case for place and culture in the North and the framework is now all about delivering on the mission, vision, strategic intent and propositions put forward in the Strategy.
“These are our plans for a green, creative and future facing North which levers its diverse natural, historic and cultural capital to unlock economic prosperity and inclusive growth.”
Plans say that there needs to be more emphasis on arts and creative in the school curriculum to meet future skill requirements.
“The publication of this report is a big moment for the north. As a born and bred Northerner myself, I know how important culture and heritage is to people right across this brilliant part of the country, and how proud we are that so much of our northern identity has shaped the rest of the country as a whole,” stated Dehenna Davison MP, Minister for Levelling Up.
“[…] I’m delighted that partners across the north have come together to create a new strategy that truly unlocks the enormous strengths and opportunities in the region. I look forward to working closely with the NP11 group, as well as Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England and Environment Agency, so we can realise the visions in the Place Strategy for the North and unleash the talent we have here.”
