ACME, which is run to promote and support the creative industries in the Liverpool area, is at present in the process of recruiting consultants to help the team achieve their objectives. Primarily it appears as if the new recruits will be focusing on the feasibility of creating a ‘Creative Industries Trust’ (CIT) to underpin this plan, while producing a business case to persuade potential funders and stakeholders to get involved.

The key party they will need to get signed up to the scheme is the NWDA. The development body owns over 48,000 sq. ft of units within the industrial Baltic Triangle area, many of which are let on short-term tenancies. It is already well aware of the need to nurture the creative industries within the city – particularly with re-development bringing ever-higher rental rates – and has been receptive to the idea of a creative quarter that mixes residential and business usage.

In fact according to a brief for the consultants positions on ACME’s website: “(the) NWDA have indicated a willingness to support the principle of using this asset (the property) to secure the promotion of a Creative Industries Quarter and have indicated that whilst they would not wish to transfer assets into a Trust they might be prepared to fund the acquisition of the assets at market value by a Trust.”

It will be the consultants jobs to produce output “demonstrating to the NWDA and Liverpool City Council that the transfer of their property to the CIT is legitimate and delivers best value for the city region.”

Speaking to How-Do, ACME’s director Kevin McManus revealed that the organisation would be looking to have a team in place to effect the plan by early to mid November.

He noted: “We’ve been playing around with this idea for a year or two to be honest. The Trust idea has come about because if you don’t have ownership in this kind of situation you just get moved on. So, it’s something we’re looking into very seriously.

“There’s nothing confirmed as yet, but with studio and office space at a premium in the centre the concept of a Creative Quarter is one way of securing an important foothold for the sector.”

He added that the recruitment process could be difficult as “we need a team that have knowledge across a variety of areas. We need people with an understanding of the creative industries, property transferral and establishing trusts.”

BusinessLiverpool and Liverpool Vision are working in partnership with ACME to recruit the consultants. According to the brief they will be expected to complete their work within a time frame of two to three months.

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