7723 The historic built environment and the location of creative businesses - AWARD

This research will deepen the evidence base on the links between the historic built environment and the growth of creative industries. It is intended to help the heritage sector understand more about the extent of creative business occupation of historic buildings and the historic areas of urban areas. It will also provide evidence on the changing pattern of creative business occupation of historic buildings over recent years, and the factors that have affected business occupation decisions. The research will enable Historic England and others in the sector to provide up-to-date data on the link between the historic built environment and creative businesses. Insights on the location factors that influence the creative sector will be helpful to the sector in supporting economic development, particularly in Heritage Action Zones. It will also enable Historic England to better understand the issue of loss of creative quarters, the drivers that lead to loss, and how Historic England may use its powers of protection to stem losses and maintain diversity of use in cities.