Sadiq Khan says London creative industries have helped unlock £11.9 billion across the capital
London’s creative industries have helped unlock almost £12 billion in investment and spending during Sadiq Khan’s decade as Mayor, according to new figures released by City Hall. The Mayor said investment in film, fashion, gaming, design, and major cultural projects has helped strengthen London’s economy while supporting jobs, tourism, and creative work across the capital.
New analysis published by City Hall estimates that programmes backed by the Mayor have helped generate £11.9 billion in investment and spending over the last 10 years. That includes £11.1 billion linked to industries supported through organisations including Film London, the British Fashion Council, Games London, and the London Design Festival.
The Mayor has made cultural investment a central part of his wider plans for London over the past decade, alongside broader ambitions around economic growth and regeneration across the capital. City Hall has also linked neighbourhood investment and public space improvements to wider regeneration projects designed to support local communities across London.
Separate funding connected to Mayoral-backed programmes brought in £783 million from local authorities, government, investors, private sector partners and philanthropic contributions. City Hall itself invested £798 million directly into cultural and creative programmes during the same period, including more than £600 million towards East Bank in Stratford and support for the new London Museum at Smithfield, which is due to open later this year.
Cultural investments have been a central part of the Mayor’s wider plans for London over the past decade, alongside broader programmes focused on growth, regeneration, and public space improvements across the capital.
Support for film production has become one of the largest parts of that investment. According to City Hall, Film London-backed activity has supported more than £9 billion in investment, helped deliver 87 productions and created more than 13,000 jobs. The capital has also seen new studio developments linked to Bow, Dagenham, 3 Mills Studios and Eastbrook Studios.
City Hall says the number of games businesses operating in London has doubled over the last decade, helping strengthen the capital’s position as a global hub for game makers. Fashion and design programmes have also received continued support through the British Fashion Council and initiatives aimed at helping emerging designers build long-term businesses. Studio Smithfield, developed in partnership with Sir Paul Smith, is among the projects designed to provide affordable studio space and mentoring for creatives.
Alongside larger developments, the Mayor’s office says Creative Enterprise Zones and the Creative Land Trust have helped slow the decline of artist studios and affordable creative workspace across London. According to City Hall, more than 145,000 square metres of new or improved cultural and creative space has been supported through Mayoral programmes.
The investment programme was marked during a reception hosted by Sadiq Khan at London’s new St Clement Hotel on Wednesday evening alongside leaders from the capital’s creative industries.
“London’s culture and creative industries are at the heart of our capital’s success,” Sadiq Khan said. “They attract millions of visitors every year, are why so many of us are proud to call London home, and are a powerhouse for economic growth. “That’s why over the last 10 years I’ve been determined to help them thrive, from helping to create the game changing East Bank and upcoming new London Museum, to supporting our successful film, games and fashion industries, and ensuring there are spaces for creatives to work.”
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