Conversations, dispatches and ideas from the Bush Theatre.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced the expansion of his “game changer” Creative Enterprise Zones which includes a significant grant for the Bush Theatre to future-proof our green credentials.
Alongside nine other projects, we’ve been awarded a share of the Mayor’s £1.2 million Creative Enterprise Zone Sustainability Capital Grant fund to improve our energy efficiency and contribute to reaching our net zero target. Pictured above at the launch event are our Executive Director Mimi Findlay (far right) and General Manager Angela Wachner (second from left).
The Mayor launched his Creative Enterprise Zones in 2018 and has invested £14.7m in areas including our borough, Hammersmith & Fulham, aiming to improve access to creative sector skills and employment. By 2026, the 12 zones will deliver 71,000 sqm of affordable creative workspace – the equivalent of 10 football pitches – support 800 creative businesses, deliver 500 jobs and help 5,000 young Londoners to enter the creative industries.
A new report published last week shows that the Creative Enterprise Zones recovered faster than London’s wider creative economy following the pandemic and economic downturn.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said:
“Creative Enterprise Zones have been a game changer for culture in London, and I’m proud that our investment has helped these areas to protect local artists and enable them to bounce back from the impacts of the pandemic faster and stronger than the wider industry.
It is vital that we continue to invest in our creative future, providing opportunities for young and emerging talent to thrive as we continue to build a better and fairer London for everyone.”
Bush General Manager, Angela Wachner, said:
“Sustainability is central to the work we do at the Bush Theatre. Working in a building with historical importance means we meet particular challenges. We are delighted to receive this grant from the Mayor of London and borough of Hammersmith & Fulham which will help us greatly in our journey to becoming net zero and uncover ways to complete this work in a manner which will be sensitive and appropriate to the building.”
Find out more about the Sustainability Capital Grant and Creative Enterprise Zones here.
