EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Govan Digital Media Centre: tackling social exclusion and stimulating the digital media sector

Govan Digital Media Centre: tackling social exclusion and stimulating the digital media sector – Glasgow, UK

Introduction

Govan Digital Media Centre is a high-technology, multi-media centre offering affordable, high quality incubator space as well as a wide range of benefits and services to the creative and digital industries.

Problem

Govan is one of the most deprived areas of Glasgow in Western Scotland. It is located on the banks of the River Clyde where the main traditional industries are shipbuilding and heavy engineering. As a result of a long period of industrial decline, the characteristics of Govan became:

high unemployment,
low skills levels,
redundant skills,
a poor quality inner-city environment,
and many people suffering from low levels of confidence.

However, high levels of public sector investment in recent years have transformed the riverfront area into a desirable high-technology business location, particularly in the creative industries. The Govan Digital Media Centre is the most recent addition to Govan business area.

Description

Govan Digital Media Centre is located in an area experiencing high levels of social exclusion in Glasgow, Scotland.

The centre provides:

affordable, high quality incubator space to attract new start up businesses in the digital media sector to the area. Space is provided for 24 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
training space to provide an industry-centred Academy where local residents can learn new skills in order to access employment opportunities in the digital media industries.

The quality of the development has been of prime importance and the project provides air conditioning, 24 hour security, broadband wireless access, transport links by underground and bus as well as parking facilities, a 32-seat auditorium, a render farm and editing suite, seminar rooms and break-out space.

Results

Forecast results:

24 FTE construction jobs;
1 new job created for disabled people;
3 new jobs created for members of ethnic minorities;
10 new jobs created for women;
30 new jobs created;
86 positive outcomes for local people (education/job progression);
166 training spaces provided;
6 jobless people securing employment.

The building has been completed, fitted out and was opened in Spring 2006. A leading Scottish digital animation SME has moved in as a key tenant, and the business incubator units are around two-thirds full.

Training is now available within the centre supported by the European Social Fund and a full range of training delivery partnerships has been developed. This includes those directly with industry.

Resources used

Total budget: 5,3 million euros

Structural Fund (ERDF) co-financing: 2.2 million euros
National public co-financing: 544,254 euros
National private co-financing: 2.6 million euros

Contact info

Strathclyde European Partnership
Anne Houston

Project start date

01/04/2004

Links

Visit the Govan Digital Media Centre website Visit the GRAZ Best Practice Conference website

Download the 'Govan Digital Media Centre: tackling social exclusion and stimulating the digital media sector – Glasgow, UK' (PDF. Eng, 57 KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Keywords

Specific sectors