Harnessing the energy of Shetland's creative industries

People working in the creative industries of Shetland have been invited to gather at Lerwick Town Hall on Thursday (30 August) to explore the industry's potential to become one of the top five economic sectors in Shetland.

By promoting Shetland as an inspirational environment, Shetland Creative Industries Unit (SCIU) aims to build on the success of home grown businesses and actively seek and attract new creative industries to Shetland.

Gwilym Gibbons, Chair of the Shetland Creative Industries Unit (SCIU) said: "Given a concerted strategic drive and infrastructure support, we believe our creative industry sector could become one of Shetland's top five economic sectors within five years."

"This will contribute a significant secondary economic benefit to the tourism and hospitality sector. The added benefit is a wider stimulus of inward investment, innovation and sustained growth of the knowledge economy."

EKOS Consulting have been commissioned by SCIU to look at the issues and challenges currently faced by the creative industries.  The research will give an indication of the overall contribution this sector makes to the local economy, and help raise awareness of the sector's potential for growth.

Aamos Designs is a textile design company, based in Cunningsburgh, recently set up by Glasgow School of Art graduates Emma Blain and Claire Hendry. Emma said: "We design, create and produce hand-woven textiles for interior design and fashion.

"The Shetland identity within our textiles is important to us, whether that be through using Shetland yarns or being influenced by the landscape. This event will be a great chance to explore the potential opportunities for our young business."

Since the late 1990s, the creative industries have continued to be one of the fastest growing industries in the UK. According to a recent report published by NESTA the creative industries grew by an average of 6% per annum compared to an average of 3% for the economy as a whole.

Katrina Wiseman, strategic projects manager at HIE Shetland said: "We have a vibrant community of creative people here in Shetland, and they all have the potential to achieve further wealth for the islands through jobs.

"The arrival of broadband has allowed remote communities to access wider markets, and this offers a great opportunity for those choosing to live and work in Shetland."

In Scotland, it has been estimated that approximately 100,000 people work in the creative industries generating £5 billion and contributing 4 per cent to Scottish GDP.