ACME: Creative sector well-placed to survive 2009

By Alistair Houghton on Jan 3, 09 10:19 PM

THE region's creative sector is "strong and robust" enough to weather the credit crunch in 2009, but will be looking for consolidation rather than expansion - that's the message from the head of support body Merseyside ACME.

Kevin McManus says 2008 was a largely successful year for the region's creative sector, despite the wider economic troubles, with Capital of Culture year and a series of industry events helping to boost its national profile.

He said local creative firms now needed to innovate and reach new markets, and that increasing collaboration between small firms could help them win new contracts.

The creative sector is not immune from the economic slowdown, with firms dependent on clients in the property sector often hardest-hit, but Mr Manus said businesses were taking measures to see them through the hard times.

He said: "Obviously the downturn is going to present a challenge, but we suspect the sector will be strong and robust enough to weather the storm. Many of our businesses tend to be small and flexible, and not too dependent on a small client base.

"The reality is people will be looking to sustain their current position rather than looking for growth in the current climate - I know of a few companies who were looking to expand, but have moved back from this because of the current uncertainty.

"Companies are telling us that the current climate has made them look more closely at costs to see where savings can be made, improving debt retrieval, and making financial planning as effective as possible - this will be similar to other sectors.

"But we have a few world-class brands and companies, the sector is more mature and the challenge is to push on and help the larger successful companies to continue to grow and help move the whole sector forward." Key events in 2008 included Sound City in May, Design Show Liverpool in June, and the Liverpool Design Symposium in October.

Last month, December Liverpool hosted the National Creative Industries Conference.

Mr Manus said plans to turn Liverpool's Baltic Triangle quarter into a creative hub for the city would also take a step forward in 2009.