Press release dated 19.02.06

Creative Shropshire, a new networking forum established by Shropshire-based creative professionals, recently enjoyed its official launch with an event themed with ‘old cinema’ at Shrewsbury’s historic Music Hall.

The creative glitterati came out in force to celebrate the occasion, which featured a Star Wars-inspired cinema screen showcasing the best of Shropshire’s creative services and an exhibition of works by individual members.

The groups’ objectives include the development of Shropshire’s creative sectors and encouraging local firms to utilise the skills of ‘home-grown’ creative professionals including designers, copywriters, photographers, illustrators cartoonists, art sourcers, marketers and web specialists to market and promote their businesses.

“Early on we felt there was a lack of networking opportunities for like-minded creative professionals in the county,” says founder member Steve Ashdown. “Shropshire is home to many innovative small businesses yet few of them communicate with each other. Our aim is to create a central point of communication in a friendly, informal environment for individuals and small businesses to meet regularly, share ideas, increase our marketing potential as a group and participate in networking events.”

Working closely with Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, Creative Shropshire have received funding from Switch On Shropshire to build their website, which is currently being developed by Wenlock-based Virtual Shropshire. The website will be just one of the many services the group hope to offer their members, along with a host of other benefits.

“The creative industries are at their peak in areas like Birmingham and increasingly account for a large portion of the city’s commercial output,” says Creative Shropshire member Lara Page. “But Shropshire is also finding a creative niche and we hope people will begin to equate the county with these industries and put Shropshire on the map as a centre for creative excellence.”