Creative Times

Sarah Tierney caught up with a selection of businesses from our industry to ask why they chose to look beyond the M25.

To be successful, you have to be in London. That’s the attitude encountered by many, whether they’re just starting out or have been trading for years. But, according to representatives from several sectors, the view that Manchester has little to attract creative businesses compared to the capital is short-sighted. They give a variety of reasons for setting up here - and they are rarely the obvious appeals of cheaper rent and a geographically-central location.

The regeneration boom motivated creative agency Smoothe to open their Manchester studio in 2000. Smoothe had a London office but recognised a wealth of potential property clients in Manchester and later they discovered that Manchester has other benefits.

Account Director Sam Crothers explains: “It has a very different community to London. There’s a lot of buzz and camaraderie and support. You can collaborate with agencies with different skill-sets to deliver the big package to clients. In London, clients often stick to big agencies and creatives don’t interact as much.”

Simon A. Morrison of PAD Communications also cites strong networks within the creative industries as a motivation for establishing his business here.

“It’s a city that will give you a lift up,” he says. “The people are willing to help you. And although it’s a big city, it’s small enough that you can bump into people and network, literally, on a street level.”

Simon was unemployed for two years before setting up PAD, so he understands what Manchester can offer people at the start of their career - a community of established professionals ready to offer a ‘way in’.

In London, clients often stick to big agencies and creatives don't interact as much as in Manchester

Over at Baby Cow Manchester, you can see how that support relationship works from the other side of the table. Established by Steve Coogan and Henry Normal, this London-based TV production company opened a Manchester office in 2005 to harness the city’s new talent – and they’ve so far found success with Emma Fryer and Peter Slater, up-and-coming character comedians currently featuring in the BBC3 comedy series Ideal.

“We’re responsible for finding and developing talented people,” explains Ric Michael, Head of Development at the Manchester office. “I spend a lot of time going to comedy clubs, student final shows, theatres - anywhere you could find performing, writing and production talent.”

Alex Barclay, a creative consultant and director of digital media company Web-head, is considering opening a Manchester office for similar reasons.

“There’s loads of talent here and an openness to fresh ideas and collaborative working,” he says. “But London is a talent magnet so it’s critical that Manchester holds onto it and exploits ideas here.”

Sam at Smoothe agrees: “Many people still see London as where they’ll go once they’ve graduated. It’s getting students to realise that Manchester produces fantastic work and has so much to offer on a careers front.”

This persisting belief that London is the only place to succeed in the creative industries appears to be one of the few things holding Manchester back as a business location. But with the city’s supportive community, strong networks, and belief in fostering new talent and innovative ideas, that consensus may be about to change.

W: www.smoothe.com
W: www.babycow.co.uk
W: www.padcom.co.uk
W: www.web-head.co.uk