“It has given me new opportunities, and the right support and tools to push my business forward,” said Hanaa Hazra Bawamia, an illustrator.
In just a few years, the Acton and Park Royal Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ) has turned ambition into reality – offering affordable and creative spaces to help creative businesses to thrive. Since opening in 2022, the CEZ has worked with almost 100 creative businesses to provide 1-2-1 business support and has provided over £250,000 of loans to creative SMEs.
Hanna, who runs a stationery business in the CEZ, added: “I would encourage any new or well-established businesses to get in touch with representatives of the CEZ. There is good in reaching out to your community of creatives and artists, as you never know who can help you get to the next steps. It is exciting to think about the friendships or partnerships which you can form, while gaining a new support system for your business.”
The creative and digital sector is one of 6 sectors – together with green and circular economy, life sciences, construction, retail, and health and social care – marked for future growth in the council’s jobs and skills strategy, aiming to ensure all residents can benefit from this expected growth.
One of the ways the council is doing this is via the CEZ. It is supported by the Mayor of London and the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation. With Imperial College London also investing in the area as a key part of the WestTech London innovation district, the CEZ is fast becoming the place where creativity meets science.
‘Actively shaping the future’
Another gem in the Acton and Park Royal CEZ is Minerva Works, a creative workspace home to a range of businesses that re-use and recycle local industrial waste materials into art and useful items. It shows how the CEZ is using regeneration to create new creative space, instead of seeing creative industries displaced.
The hub is run by the people behind Republic of Park Royal, a local affordable space provider. Jonathan Brewin, director of Republic of Park Royal and the charity that holds the lease in Minerva Road, said: “We are always chasing the next best thing – a better job, a cooler neighbourhood. But our philosophy is to stop and invest in the place we’re already in. This community is worth it.
“We’re not bystanders – we’re actively shaping the future of this place. With so much development coming to North Acton, we want to create a strong identity that welcomes new residents into a vibrant, evolving neighbourhood.”
Read more about the innovative businesses at Minerva Works.
Making a difference
Council leader Peter Mason said: “Our borough is home to incredible creative talent, and we want to help local people transform ideas into thriving businesses and careers.
“Our vision is simple: creativity should flourish in every corner of our borough. By investing in affordable workspaces, we’re ensuring that the arts and creative industries remain accessible to all.”
“The CEZ is more than just a workspace initiative—it’s a catalyst for growth, innovation, and community. We’re proud to support a sector that enriches lives and drives our local economy forward.”
Opportunities for all
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “The CEZ is a game-changer for our borough. It’s creating jobs, supporting emerging artists, and helping us build a stronger, fairer economy for everyone.
“We want our residents to benefit from the growth of creative industries. The CEZ is opening doors to skills, jobs, and a vibrant future for our borough.”
For more information, visit the Creative Enterprise Zone webpage.
