New platform to help Glossop get creative and crafty

A new online 'platform' aimed at boosting Glossop's vibrant creative business community has been launched with the help of Arts Council funding. 

The new Glossop Creates website - www.glossopcreate.com - brings together local, independent creative businesses and individuals - including artists, writers, designers and musicians, artisan makers, restaurants, cafes, specialist shops and more - to profile their businesses, products and crafts, support their services and give the local independent economy a boost after a tumultuous year.  

The initiative will also promote the creative independent businesses within a five mile radius of Glossop, including Hayfield, Broadbottom and Mottram via its website and social media platforms, and run a series of events throughout 2021 to further celebrate, support and bring together the local independent business community.  

Glossop Creates, which  is part of the Glossop Creative Trust, has been made possible with funding from the Arts Council of England, which has allocated resources to support smaller towns and creative initiatives.  

This initiative is part of a wider growth strategy for the town and the region, which aims to build on Glossop’s distinctive heritage and reaffirm the identity of the High Peak and make it a better place to live, work, play and visit. 

Claire Tymon, project lead for Glossop Creates, said: “We are really proud to announce the launch of Glossop Creates, which has been designed to empower the local creative community to come together as a force for economic success and drive the change it wants to see. 

“In the summer, consultation with local businesses told us that there was a clear need to support the local creative and independent business community by raising awareness of the talent and skills in our town, boosting business, raising the profile of Glossop as a destination for creativity, and sustaining local employment. 

“Following the results of the survey, and a series of workshops mapping shared values and learnings, we co-designed a programme of support which has attracted funding from the Arts Council of England to match funds already committed from High Peak Borough Council. 

“The investment provided Glossop Creative Trust with the opportunity to create this new business-focussed website for the town with a small team of local creatives, and it will also help us to provide new commissioning opportunities for local artists and creative entrepreneurs in 2021.”

Claire added: “We are committed to working with our strategic partners who will support and advocate for our work in the long term. 

“These include High Peak Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, D2N2, and Tameside Council. 

“We would also welcome new partnerships with local organisations directly serving the needs of the community. Our long term aim is to strengthen Glossop’s cultural ecosystem in order for the community to have increased access to the arts and culture. 

“Our work aims to be inclusive and consider the wider demographics of the town - creativity is for everyone.”  

Duncan Wright, chair of Glossop Creative Trust, said: “Supporting and encouraging the creative and hospitality sector in the town is central to our vision to make Glossop a haven and inspiration for creative businesses.

“Our aim is that glossopcreates.com will become the go-to resource for anyone who wants to know what is going on in the area.” 

The Glossop Creates site is live now and features a wide range of local independent businesses, artists, freelancers and more. 

You can follow @GlossopCreates on Facebook and Instagram for competitions, blogs, bespoke offers and more.

Main image:

BUSY: The Glossop Creates team of Carole Haines, Richard Tymon, Eve Deasy, Antony Bullivant and Claire Tymon.