About

A historic industrial district of Waltham Forest, Blackhorse Lane, is an accredited Creative Enterprise Zone, a pioneering initiative by the Mayor of London. Renamed Blackhorse Collective, the designation recognises the area’s unique artisan spirit, the high quality of the area’s existing freelancers and businesses, its rich history of making and its potential for growth in the creative community.  

The goal is to ensure creatives can continue to thrive and maintain their distinctive spirit. We will help freelancers and businesses in the area to diversify their workforce, partnerships and supply chain, ensuring the creative sector supports underrepresented groups and those who experience marginalisation to achieve their potential. 

Led by local creatives, am Advisory Group has formed that will help shape the areas that creatives in the area need to flourish including: 

• Support for the development of a range of spaces to work, including affordably priced space for artists, makers, freelancers and creative businesses 
• The types and design of support to help businesses starting up, growing and driving social impact, tailored to the needs of creatives 
• Creative training and employment opportunities for local people 
• Effective Council and other stakeholder policies to support Blackhorse Collective 

It will ensure the area’s status as a nurturing hub for creativity for generations to come.