Space to Grow

Stage 1

As historical difficulties and current economic circumstances put culture and creativity in Brighton & Hove under significant pressure, it is clear that more needs to be done to address key strategic challenges.

In response, the Space to Grow working group of the ABCD Plan for Cultural Recovery (the precursor of the Culture Alliance) commissioned this Stage 1 study in Autumn 2022 from We Made That (WMT) Urban Research Unit to provide insight into the state of cultural and creative spaces in Brighton & Hove, and identify clear ways forward to help the creative ecosystem recover and thrive.

In particular, this study gathers the existing and presents new evidence about:

  • The structure and performance of Brighton & Hove’s creative ecosystem

  • The existing provision of cultural and creative spaces in the city

  • Gaps in cultural and creative space provision and future needs

  • The extent and reasons for recent loss of spaces

  • Opportunities related to the existing provision

  • Challenges in delivering new spaces

Stage 2

In Autumn 2023, Augarde & Partners, together with Work Wild and PRD, were commissioned by the Brighton & Hove Culture Alliance to determine a viable way to secure affordable creative workspace in the long term. Their work explored the feasibility of a Creative Land Trust (CLT) via:

  • Site visits to organisations at risk and those seeking to expand

  • 1-2-1 meetings with key stakeholders from the culture, public and private sector

  • Attendance & delivery of a workshop at the Culture Summit (100 creative organisations & freelancers)

  • Property viewings

The publication of the final report was delayed due to the need for Brighton & Hove City Council and the consultants to check and verify recommendations related to council assets to ensure the report was accurate. These recommendations are now informing ongoing conversations around council assets, partnerships with developers, and other discussions with the private sector, including with retailers and universities. 

Councillor Birgit Miller, Cabinet member for Culture, Heritage and Tourism said: “Supporting the cultural and creative industries to find affordable workspace is a priority for the council. 

“We’ve seen fantastic initiatives in recent years, from the creative businesses now working out of the Old Courthouse, the success of South East Dance, and East Brighton Trust creating a new arts and community hub at Moulsecoomb Place. This study gives us all a better understanding of how we can build on these successes and address the challenges still to resolve for the sector in Brighton & Hove.

“The council is actively looking at possible uses of vacant spaces in council buildings and working with developers to identify opportunities in commercial developments. Our City Plan 2041 will be key to shaping the future balance of workspace across our city.”

The CLT business case from Augarde and Partners is now available to be read HERE. This business case provides the Culture Alliance with a strong basis on which to facilitate and lead wider conversation across the city with stakeholders across the private and public sectors.

The Culture Alliance is looking to revitalise the Space to Grow working group in 2026. If you’d be interested in joining, please email El.