The Devonshire Collective - A creative hub cluster proposal for Eastbourne

THE DEVONSHIRE COLLECTIVE

A creative hub cluster proposal for Eastbourne

“One of the best investments we can make as a nation is in our extraordinary arts, museums, heritage, media and sport. £1 billion a year in grants adds a quarter of a trillion pounds to our economy – not a bad return.

So deep cuts in the small budget of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport are a false economy.”

George Osborne from his Autumn 2015 statement

THE DEVONSHIRE COLLECTIVE

2 The Devonshire Collective The Brief The Vision

14 Research 15 Testimony

4 How will it work?

16 Finance

6 DC1 CafĂŠ & Gallery

20 Governance Options

8 DC2 Studios & Makerspace

21 Case Study

9 DC3 Workshop space

22 Contacts

10 DC+ Hippodrome 11 DC+ Leaf Hall 12 Branding & Marketing

24 Appendix

THE DEVONSHIRE the brief B&R Productions were appointed by EBC and EHL to manage the development of the Creative Hub Cluster proposal for Devonshire ward and prepare a document including: branding, website and social media outlines; equipment list; layout and design input to designated sites; role in the project for Hippodrome, Towner and community beach hut; identifying and quantifying outcomes against key objectives of jobs, wellbeing, training and skills and a new offer for the ward; identifying occupants; establishing the legal relationship between the freeholder, the managing agent and the hirers; outline business plan and operating model.

the vision Via the inauguration of The Devonshire Collective, a managed group of creative arts venues providing workspaces, studios, workshops, a gallery and cafĂŠ, the vision is to establish a creative and cultural strip in Seaside and Seaside Road in Devonshire ward, Eastbourne.

Stimulating regeneration and providing a focus for the development of the arts and cultural industries in Eastbourne through a managed facility of multiple sites including the existing Royal Hippodrome Theatre and Leaf Hall, the Devonshire Collective will operate on a mixed economy model and provide a valuable resource for the local community and town.

With only a short distance between sites, which are easily visible from one to another, and a strong graphic identity linking each venue and providing a distinctive presence, Seaside will take on a completely new character.

2

COLLECTIVE This cultural strip will link 67–69 Seaside (café, gallery, workshop and networking hub), Royal Hippodrome Theatre (variety, music hall and comedy venue, plus office), 137–139 Seaside Road (makerspace and studios), 1–5 Seaside (workshop space), and Leaf Hall (community arts and dance academy).

Utilising these five key venues to develop activities and events that lead visitors from the town and pier along the route to experience a dynamic, multi-disciplinary, cultural offer in the heart of Devonshire ward will also provide connectivity between the seafront fishermen’s market, maritime sports activities and heritage attractions of The Redoubt.

The aspiration is to integrate the arts into the regeneration of Devonshire ward through the creation of a dynamic, managed collection of businesses and practice which spearheads an influx of innovative, independent retailers, encourages existing offers to raise their game and delivers a range of creative projects that attract audiences, engage the community, fosters well-being and social cohesion and makes the area a key destination for visitors.

3

how will it work?

The Devonshire Collective will be a managed entity providing five new job opportunities: for an administrator, a curator, a project development/ outreach and fundraiser role, café staff and an apprentice. The staff will administer, curate and develop the offer and will be accountable to a CIC (Community Interest Company) established for the purpose.

SET UP

Co-ordination and management of a nine month set-up period will be undertaken by B&R Productions who will secure studio hires, recruit and appoint staff, set up the CIC with an appropriately skilled board, establish operating practices and deliver a profile-raising Launch Programme of activities and events supported by Arts Council England. These events will model and establish the range of offers to artists and cultural industries, the community and visitors that the Collective will provide going forward and demonstrate its value as a resource.

These could include: • An Open Day with demonstrations, taster workshops, talks and events • Artists in shops – a series of commissions to partner artists with retailers and restaurateurs along the creative strip to produce original artworks for display • Photo-documentary – a series of photographic installations to celebrate the life and heritage of the street and its community • A mapping exercise to link creative spaces along the coast such as Rock House in Hastings and The Rye Creative Centre in Rye and establish the means for cross promotion and complementing the Coastal Culture Trail In addition, B&R Productions will draw upon their contacts and expertise within the arts to broker relationships between Royal Hippodrome Theatre and Alternative Comedy producers to establish a comedy festival and with Leaf Hall and a Sadlers Wells associate contemporary dance artist to establish a visiting choreography programme.

4

GOING FORWARD

The Devonshire Collective’s team will deliver the day to day offer which will include • Studio hires and hub membership • Ceramics makerspace • Print room makerspace • Professional development for artists and creative businesses – Funding advice – Networking • Selling and experimental shows in the gallery • Café • Studio, workshop and gallery hires • Capacity building for freelance arts practitioners via project and workshop delivery opportunities • Programming the Community Project Hut

TRAINING AND SKILLS

The Devonshire Collective will be uniquely placed to develop a range of creative and cultural training and skills offers that utilise the talents of its members, associates and partners and offer valuable and much sought arts and creative industries experience – for example: • Apprentice communications officer leading to employment • Music Production and Leadership certification via AudioActive • Barrista training via Brighton University in the café • Life skills and preparation for work via Wayfinder Woman training, volunteer steward programme in partnership with Hippodrome and community events • Social and emotional literacy via workshop programme with hard to reach and vulnerable groups • Arts Award • Development of new creative enterprises – for example: Eastbourne Studio Pottery and Devonshire Print Workshop

PARTNERSHIPS

The Devonshire Collective will fulfil a key strategic role in joining up the cultural offer in Eastbourne via a series of partnerships including: • With Towner gallery and Coastal Culture Trail to continue the work begun by the partnership between Towner, Tech Resort and DDF • With Towner gallery, to provide a residency workshop/studio space for their proposed visiting artists programme • With youth music charity AudioActive, to develop projects and opportunities for young people including leadership and progression to employment • With Leaf Hall, to develop a visiting choreographers’ programme and Pilates for well-being • With Royal Hippodrome Theatre, to develop aspirations for a comedy festival, curate foyer exhibitions and deliver activity programmes • With Blue Monkey artists’ network, to provide gallery and printroom facilities • With Emma Mason Gallery, to promote and develop printmaking • With Eastbourne Festival, to help develop their aspirations • With local retailers and restaurants, to deliver a series of projects that provide them with a creative identity and integrate them into the offer – for example: photo documentary, instore installations/exhibitions etc.

• With New Eastbourne Writers and New Writing South, to host writers’ workshops, readings and spoken word events • With local hoteliers, to develop visitor offers • With Devonshire West Big Local, to support job creation

“There are few opportunities for artists to develop their practice and many artists are lacking adequate studio space. We believe that a focal point in terms of both physical area as well as a team of people working on improving and consolidating the arts within Eastbourne would be a huge benefit to not only the arts community but the town as a whole.

This is a project that we would be very excited in becoming involved with.”

Abigail Myers & David Smith, AND Arts

“As a group, New Eastbourne Writers would be delighted to support such an inspirational and motivational project for Eastbourne. Our group is just one small branch of a huge creative population that is growing exponentially in the town and we are desperate for affordable space in which to ‘create’ and be inclusive and accessible to the entire community.”

Louise Sewell, Chair of New Eastbourne Writers and Director of Eastbourne Book Festival

5

DC1 café & gallery 67–69 Seaside Road, Eastbourne

“ Being in a collaborative space spawns all sorts of opportunities, it would be great to have a purposeful place to go to access the arts community.”

Sheridan Quigley,

ground floor

• Administration

work surface

platform lift

office file storage 1600 high divider

servery bar

• Cafe • Barrista training via University of Brighton

• Networking

Artist

level threshold

pavement

Ground Floor

6

store

“ There are lots of people like me who have moved to Eastbourne with young families, set up as freelancers to combine childcare and work and would hone in on a place to go.”

Maya Jones, Graphic Designer projection space

basement • Exhibitions and gallery hire

store

Café & Gallery 67-69

platform lift

• Projection space for film-based artwork

BEANS

SEASIDE ROAD

• Selling and experimental shows in the gallery

• Workshops • Use by e.g. Blue Monkey, NWS, New Eastbourne Writers and AudioActive

accessible WC

gallery

• Talks, CPD, training

OUTCOMES • 5 jobs (FTE) • Training for barrista X 6 • Young People progression to employment X 4 • CPD sessions X 12 • Mentoring X 6

pavement

Basement

7

DC2 studios & makerspace 137–139 Seaside Road, Eastbourne “The printmaking space would be a real gem and I’m sure the response would be amazing, I know so many people who have to go out of Eastbourne to Brighton or Lewes at the moment to access print making facilities.”

accessible WC lobby

OUTCOMES

kiln

tea making

• New enterprises X 12 • Ceramics & printmaking skills X 552

5 x Studiosstudio / office 12 sqm

• Job safeguarding X 3

studio 15 sqm

• Open studio

events, tours, studio visits

“ We want to offer courses to disadvantaged groups and provide a platform for ceramicists, artists or designers. We have two highly experienced teachers who will provide a core programme.”

Eastbourne Studio Pottery – potential tenants

8

Pat Latham Chair Eastbourne Group of Artists

store

• Wellbeing via community engagement X 100

platform lift store

studio 20 sqm new stairs up to upper level

store lobby

accessible entrance

studio 15 sqm

ceramics studio 32 sqm studio 20 sqm

entrance

printmaking studio 36 sqm

Ceramics makerspace • visible to passersby • workshops/classes/ hires

Print room makerspace • visible to passersby • workshops/ classes/ hires

DC3 workshop space 1–5 Seaside, Eastbourne

“We’ve wanted to establish a visiting artist programme but haven’t had the space.”

Emma Morris, Towner gallery

• Workshop hire. e.g. DC2 studio holders delivering classes • Towner visiting “artists-in-residence” studio space • Set building and installation construction

OUTCOMES • Workshop delivery X 600 50+ X 150, Under-25s X 80, Visitors X 100 • Combating social isolation X 10 • Paid workshop delivery for artists X 1200 hours

9

DC+ hippodrome Hippodrome, 108–112 Seaside Road – Partnership – Comedy Festival – HLF activity programme – Foyer exhibitions – Training & skills in Hippodrome office

10

“I’m desperate for an out of season festival offer and a comedy festival in October would be perfect.”

Darren Weir, Royal Hippodrome Theatre

DC+ leaf hall 51 Seaside, Eastbourne – Partnership – Visiting choreographer’s programme, – Pilates, additional activity hire

“This would be such a boost to the area and so exciting to introduce students to visiting professionals, it will really raise the bar for everyone.”

Gina Leonard, Leaf Hall

OUTCOMES • Health and wellbeing via Pilates, Yoga and dance delivery X 600

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BRANDING & MARKETING MARKETING A PR company will be appointed to promote and publicise the launch programme, ensuring maximum exposure and targeting all the user groups.

BRANDING It is important to communicate all the elements of the cluster as a whole, which is where the branding will play a key part. With only a short distance between sites, they are easily visible from one to another, with a strong graphic identity linking each venue and providing a distinctive presence. Seaside will take on a completely new character. This identity will continue through the website, social media and print elements.

12

DEVONSHIRE COLLECTIVE

Leaf Hall

Hippodrome

Making Space

DEVONSHIRE COLLECTIVE

Café & Gallery 67-69 SEASIDE ROAD

BEANS

DEVONSHIRE COLLECTIVE

Studios

Café & Gallery

DC DC DC

The existing lamp posts with facilities for banners along Seaside Road can be used as a visual device to connect the five buildings within the creative cluster. Applying strong branding to these and to the facades of the buildings, is an excellent way to promote the venues.

The designs included in this brief are not intended as a definitive solution, but to show how strong branding will help bring new life back to Seaside Road and Seaside.

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RESEARCH Current opinion places the arts at the bedrock of creative industries. As London property prices are squeezing artists out of the capital, (Rohan Silva, Evening Standard, October 2015) towns like Eastbourne become an increasingly attractive proposition for those seeking to re-locate, especially if they are developing a reputation for a vibrant arts scene and provide supportive networks.

The Second Age of Small Understanding the economic impact of micro businesses

Benedict Dellot June 2015

In June 2015 the Royal Society of Arts published a new report looking at the economic impact of the micro business boom.

Defined as firms with 0–9 employees, the number of micro businesses now stands at 5 million, up from 3.5 million in 2000. In contrast, the populations of all other-sized firms have either increased only marginally or fallen in number. The result is that micro businesses today account for 33 per cent of private sector employment and 19 per cent of total output.

The Royal Society of Arts has dubbed this trend ‘the second age of small’, in reference to the fact that cottage industries were once the norm in pre-industrial Britain. www.thersa.org/discover/publications-andarticles/reports/the-second-age-of-small/.

This report, which describes the kind of designer maker businesses the Creative Hub Cluster is designed to support, outlines the entrepreneurial and creative capacity of such businesses, which tend to provide greater job satisfaction and loyalty, often employing individuals on the margins and bringing colour and diversity to our economy.

At a recent conference on Cultural Tourism held at Turner Contemporary in Margate, Kent, James Berresford, Chief Executive of Visit England, spoke of the value the cultural industries provide to the leisure and tourism offer. Using the TR-M Index developed by Visit England that measures how satisfied visitors are with their overall experience, the highest scores evidenced a strong cultural offer as a determining factor. With a national average of 94, Eastbourne scored 82.

Northumberland

102

Newcastle

92

Durham

87

Scarborough North York Moors

Lake District

111

95

99

Other Cumbria

91

100

Blackpool

89

83

85

Chester

74

Birmingham

75

Bristol

Bath

85 101

Somerset

95

14

89

Weymouth

Suffolk

95

Essex London

Oxford

Wiltshire

92

94

New Forest

Isle of Wight

100

74

100

East Sussex

Canterbury Kent Coast

88

Kent Total

82

Total Hants Brighton

91

94

91

100

91

90

Cambridge

Cotswolds

Bournemouth

Gt Yarmouth

97

Stratford

104

Other Devon

Other Norfolk

83

82

91

105

91

Notting -ham

Warwickshire

Shropshire

Torquay

Skegness

92

86

108

80

98

Staffordshire Derbyshire

94

96

102

104

Manchester Lincoln Peak District

Gloucester -shire

Cornwall

Yorkshire Coast

Leeds

Liverpool

96

York

Yorks Dales

95

82

Eastbourne

82

81

“ We decided to focus on discovering the appetite for and level of commitment to the Creative Hub Cluster proposal.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive.”

testimony I have recently left my job at Wave as a graphic designer/director in a workers’ cooperative. I wanted to provide myself more time to be creative and explore my love of printmaking more, especially letterpress and silkscreen. I would be interested in a studio technician role or something similar within the workshop and making space, and also perhaps looking at holding some letterpress printmaking courses.”

Following on from the work undertaken by Tom Fleming in the preparation of a Cultural Framework for Eastbourne in 2011* which discussed placing artists and creative businesses at the heart of Eastbourne’s economy and way of life via: • The re-use of ‘old space’ for pop-up shops and workspaces led by creatives • Dedicated artist studio/creative workspace • Arts/cultural partnership/networking • Links to artists and creatives elsewhere We decided to focus on discovering the appetite for and level of commitment to the Creative Hub Cluster proposal. During the last three months we have undertaken a series of meetings with local stakeholders, members of the arts community, council departments, representatives from Driving Devonshire Forward and Devonshire West Big Local and local business representatives.

Claire Perkins, printmaker I live in the Devonshire ward. I used to have a studio at Cockpit Arts in Holborn London and the Open Studios events were a real boost to sales and being part of a professional organisation lead to great press and opportunities.

When I lived in London I used to use the open access facilities at the London Print Studio on the Harrow Road. It would be great to have something like that in Eastbourne.”

Anne Barrell, ceramicist The visitor demographic is changing, the two-night stay is becoming a one-night stay. More families and more young people are visiting and they are going to Brighton. We need to keep them here.”

The response has been overwhelmingly positive with a self-identified print collective and ceramics group looking for spaces to operate from, individual artists, designers, graphic designers, writers and performers expressing the need for studio, gallery, meeting, performance and workshop spaces and the existing arts organisations such as Towner, The Royal Hippodrome and Leaf Hall all expressing their support for and need of this initiative.

Darren Weir, The Royal Hippodrome

* http://www.eastbourne.gov.uk/EasysiteWeb/ getresource.axd?AssetID=159524&type=full &servicetype=Inline

maybe to join classes too.”

and Mowbray Hotel I am a local artist and am replying to your call for interest in the proposed creative hub for Eastbourne.

This sounds like an excellent and much needed proposal – I would be interested in studio space and also the opportunity to use printmaking facilities for my own work and Lyn Dale, artist

15

governance options An initial nine month period is required to manage the set-up and delivery, put operational procedures in place and establish a CIC to run the Hub Cluster going forward.

We recommend the owners of the buildings provide leases to the CIC, which then issues licences or hire agreements depending on the length of contract required. Studio holders would have six-monthly renewable licence agreements and tutors and workshop leaders would have weekly hire agreements over ‘X’ number of weeks.

During our research period we have spoken with a broad range of individuals, organisations and potential stakeholders and the following have expressed an interest in becoming board members: • Emma Morris, Towner gallery • Linda Salway, Birley Centre • Adrian Ley, Devonshire West Big Local In addition, we recommend the inclusion of a representative from EBC on the board.

We recommend that the following skills and experience are represented on the board: • arts professional, • education, • business, • charity, • fundraising, • local community

20

Next steps…

1

Having gained the support of EBC to action this proposal, B&R Productions and EBH will follow up on initial conversations with ACE, Locate Sussex, Devonshire West Big Local to submit funding applications.

2

Working with EBC’s legal department, B&R Productions will draft an appropriate lease agreement and licences for user groups and individuals.

3 4

B&R Productions will work with EHL to create more detailed plans for fit-outs of the sites.

B&R Productions will begin to formulate a CIC.

case study The School Creative Centre, Rye

Outline Impact

Set up in 2009 in a de-commissioned school building, The School Creative Centre was B&R Productions’ first opportunity to model our mixed economy approach to achieving a sustainable arts development facility, the key elements of which are an experienced managerial and development administration; voluntary, statutory and private sector partnerships; diverse income streams and an integrated offer with multiple beneficiaries.

During the period 2009 to 2013, over and above the development and support to 37 creative enterprises the School also delivered the following:

The centre opened in 2009 with six creative enterprises renting studio space and by 2011 there were 37 creative enterprises across the visual and performing arts with jewellers, textile artists, tailoring, photographers, musicians, poets, painters, as well as an accountant offering financial services to small arts businesses and a conservator and in excess of 30 courses and workshops running over the course of the year.

Taking inspiration from our work in the commercial and subsidised arts, Creative Partnerships and the Health and Wellbeing agenda, the ethos of The School Creative Centre placed the creative process at the heart of education, training and well-being, encouraging associate and resident artists from across the visual and performing arts to develop socially engaged practice with which to increase their income generating options at the same time as providing a valuable offer to the local and wider community.

– 12 NEET engaged in training via Pulse funded arts projects – 16 NEET engaged in training via NACRO projects – 25 young people at risk of exclusion engaged in Arts Award projects with Audio Active – 20 young people attended New Writing South Young Writer Squads achieving Bronze or Silver Arts Award – Four full-time jobs created – Artists delivered over 900 workshops – 46 artists commissioned for a range of project work – Exhibition and retail opportunities for over 300 artists and crafts people via the gallery and craft fair activities – Four seasons of live music and comedy performance – 5000 visitors attended open days These activities added significantly to the local economy providing a £500,000 contribution in direct and indirect activities – rentals, visitor increase, hotels and B&B, local business (printers, caterers, suppliers), In order to cover its costs The School Creative Centre was built upon a financial model that sought support during its first three years, which diminished annually as earned income increased – see diagram below.

NB: Grants were sought for specific projects and continued beyond year 3. This included the award of a £35,000 from ACE to increase capacity to support the expansion of the business via purchases of additional equipment.

£100K 80 60 40 20 0

EARNED INCOME

GRANT SUPPORT

YEAR ONE

YEAR TWO

YEAR THREE

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contacts During the preparation of this document we have consulted with a range of potential stakeholders, local businesses and partners including:

In addition, the following local artists and cultural enterprises have expressed their support for and enthusiasm to engage with the proposed creative hub cluster:

Eastbourne Borough Council:

Sheridan Quigley – artist

Phil Evans and Annie Wills from Tourism and Enterprise;

Simon Barker – artist and Filmmaker

Sara Taylor from Regeneration and Planning

Ismeni – weaver Clare Dales – printmaker

Eastbourne HOMES Ltd:

Kim Sweet – Mothers of Invention

Nicky Woollard and Paul Boast

Maya Jones – graphic designer

Potential stakeholders: Emma Morris – Director Towner Gallery Darren Weir – Director Royal Hippodrome Theatre and Mowbray Hotel Gina Leonard – Leaf Hall and Bourne Academy Adrian Ley – Devonshire West Big Local Heidi Lane – Crown and Anchor David Brachtvogel – Marine Guest House and Under 21s Emma Mason – Emma Mason Gallery Abigail Myers and David Smith AND Arts Linda Salway – Head of Creative Arts Development – Eastbourne College Alex Valey – Curious Projects Louise Sewell – Chair of New Eastbourne Writers and Director of Eastbourne Book Festival Jess Courtney-Bennett – Coastal Culture Trail Judith Alder – Blue Monkey Network Teri Sayers-Cooper – Creative Force Julian Sutherland Beatson – Artist and Open House director Victor Potter – Eastbourne Festival

22

Nikki Davidson-Bowman – printmaker Cat Ingrams – artist Robin Houghton – poet and publisher Phil Burrows – photographer Anna O’Neil – Illustrator and printmaker Pat Latham – Chair Eastbourne Group of Artists Anna Winter – filmmaker Jane Fisher – printmaker Maggie Henton – printmaker Elizabeth Doak – artist educator and photographer Lyn Dale – artist Alison Bettles – Artist and Contemporary Exhibitions Asssistant and Duty Supervisor – Towner Gallery Liz Hankins – printer and illustrator Paula MacArthur – painter and printmaker Anne Barrell – ceramicist Hannah Rogers – printmaker Pauline Crook – textile screen printing Richard Stenson – artist Pat Thornton – teacher and printmaker

Feedback from Emma Mason Gallery, winter 2015 List of people interested in attending Print Workshops in Eastbourne Alice Gleadow

Jo Prentice

Alison Morris

John Branston

Alison Woodeson

Julia Collins

Amanda Connolly

Julia Hatts Page

Anita McEwen

Karen Taylor

Ann Johnson

Kitty Oakley

Annie Fuller

Kristen Shillingford

Arabella Hobson

Lesley Whitworth

Barbara Gosnold

Lorraine Harrison

Beverley Rouwen

Louise Galletly

Brenda Pallant

Lynn Bedford

Carmen Renwick

Marly McLeod

Caroline Zoob

Martin Nathan

Celia Forman

Melanie Unwin

Charlotte Alexander

Michael Gornall

Cheryl Bell

Michelle Lowe

Chrissie Smith

Nicola Pharoah

Christina Frewing

Penny Hadrill

Christine Gawad

Pietro Coen

Christine Rawnsley

Rachel Clark

Clare Anstee

Rachel Hutchinson

Edina Waugh

Rosemary Riddick

Emma Carlow

Ruth Stewart

Emma Mason

Sally Deakin

Esther Mason

Sarah Brown

Fiona Clarke

Sarah Macbeth

Frances Price

Sharon Philpott

Frances Wilson

Susan Casebourne

Francesca Duffield

Susan Levett

Francesca Waldron

Suzanne Kelly

Gail Vines

Tiffany Leeson

Helena Koral

Trish Bacchus

Jacqui Stewart

Vanessa Venables

Jane Grindley

Victoria Keeble

Jennifer Pruess

Vivienne Challans

Jennifer Timberlake

Wendy Bishop

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APPENDIX 103 Seaside Road Since compiling this document, 103 Seaside has been proposed as an additional building.

Adding 103 to the offer will generate more studio spaces, strengthen the brand, attract additional enterprises and widen the network, building capacity, increasing the offer and therefore the revenue.

FINANCE Income Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Rental £12000 £16000 £19000

Expenditure £8000 £10000 £10000 (rent, overheads) Net contribution £4000 £6000 £9000 to DC cluster

No allowance has been made to fit out the space

OUTCOMES

• 6 x additional new enterprises • 4 x increased engagement and well-being opportunities • Diversification of the offer • Increased revenue

Original idea conceived by Martin Jones, Christine Harmar-Brown and Ian Ross

INCREASED REVENUE

Produced by: B&R Productions

If this were to be realised, it demonstrates how the position of the Devonshire Collective is incrementally strengthened by the incorporation of new sites.

Commissioned by: Eastbourne Borough Council, & Eastbourne Homes Ltd

Any further opportunity to increase the number of sites will continue to raise Eastbourne Borough Council’s profile as a national frontrunner in collaborating with the cultural and creative industries to drive economic growth and regeneration.

Design: Erica Smith wordsmithdesign.co.uk Illustrations: Tim Booth

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Photography: John Cole

“We have our next writers group meeting on Thursday and I just wondered how the Creative Hub Cluster proposal was going? We are all waiting to know when the Hub will be open/go live so that we can start using it and promoting it. We are already pencilling in event days for writers and are having to potentially consider other venues, but it would be amazing if the Hub could happen some time this year.�

Louise Sewell, Chair of New Eastbourne Writers and Director of Eastbourne Book Festival 26 January 2016

LEAF HALL

DC3

eastbourne station HIPPODROME

DC1

DEVONSHIRE PARK

B&R

productions ltd

creative and cultural innovators

www.bandrproductions.co.uk info@bandrproductions.co.uk Tel: 07968 784144

DC2

Potential additional studios