Luton Borough Council

It has been announced this week that Luton Culture has been awarded £3.8m from The South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) Local Growth Fund.

Marie Kirbyshaw, chief executive of Luton Culture said: "We are really excited about the , chief executive of Luton Culture said: "We are really excited about the Local Growth Fund news from SEMLEP, which will enable us to develop creative industry provision in Luton.

"We plan to transform two old hat factories near The Hat Factory Arts Centre into high quality and high tech workspaces for creative individuals and businesses to work".

The Creative Cluster project will contribute significantly to the growth and development of Luton by:

providing 28,000sqft of creative business workspace

supporting 162 additional creative and digital industries jobs

boosting the local economy by attracting 193,000 more visits to the cultural quarter

The workspaces created by the project will be specifically for the creative and digital industry, and will provide areas with specialist equipment and infrastructure to grow skills and talent.

Through this funding, Luton Culture will develop the infrastructure that will bring creative and talented people together so that they can innovate, collaborate and celebrate creative success.

Luton Culture has also applied to Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England for funding to maximise the potential of this project, and we have already provided our support.

Cllr Hazel Simmons, leader of Luton Council, said: "This is more fantastic news for the town and we are delighted with the initiative, ambition and vision shown by Luton Culture, a key partner in , leader of Luton Council, said: "This is more fantastic news for the town and we are delighted with the initiative, ambition and vision shown by Luton Culture, a key partner in Luton’s Investment Framework (LIF).

"LIF, worth £1.5billion, is providing a range of opportunities for local people and making a positive impact on lives. This latest successful bid follows millions already secured for a variety of cultural projects. It will help to ensure Luton continues its transformation into an established and inclusive cultural and creative destination, with something for everyone of all ages and from all backgrounds."

It is anticipated that work on the Creative Cluster will start in 2018 and be completed by 2021. Luton Culture will be sharing the detailed plans of the scheme in the summer.







The Hat Factory artist's impression