The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, on Thursday 15 January announced £2.2m of funding to boost creative industries in the capital through his innovative Creative Enterprise Zones initiative, which includes Blackhorse Lane in Waltham Forest. 

The Blackhorse Lane area was chosen as Waltham Forest’s Creative Enterprise Zone in 2021 and was officially launched as Blackhorse Collective Zone in 2023. This designation recognises the high quality of the area’s existing businesses, its rich history of making, and its potential for future growth. It has already delivered affordably priced spaces for artists and creative businesses alongside expert support for starting up, growing a business, creative training, and job opportunities for residents. The development of Blackhorse Lane has been part of the council's Economic Strategy since 2016. It set out to develop the area by improving its social and cultural offering to help build a new creative destination.

This latest investment will see Croydon, Hackney and Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, Lambeth, Hounslow, Ealing, Waltham Forest, Haringey and Hammersmith and Fulham each receive a share of £630,000* to support artists and creatives in their Creative Enterprise Zones. This will enable them to unlock more affordable creative workspaces, champion planning policies that support cultural initiatives, provide advice and business support, and create jobs as part of the Mayor’s work to reverse the decline in studio spaces. 

The Blackhorse Collective Zone comprises of 180 creative businesses, and this latest accreditation will help go the extra mile to support local businesses. 

Waltham Forest Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, Councillor Ahsan Khan said: 

We’re thrilled that Blackhorse Lane has been recognised by the Mayor of London as a Creative Enterprise Zone. The area is a thriving hub of creativity that is a vital part of our local economy. This designation will create further opportunities for creatives and employment for residents, reaffirming our place in London as a destination for creative makers and visitors alike.

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said:

London is a thriving creative capital, powering our economy, creating jobs and bringing communities together. Artists and creatives are at the heart of this success, but in the face of great challenges our Creative Enterprise Zones are helping them to put down roots with affordable spaces. I am delighted that we are able to provide additional funding to Waltham Forest to extend the excellent work taking place in the borough supporting artists, businesses and long-term investment. Our Zones are on course to deliver nearly 80,000sqm affordable long-term space by 2028, supporting hundreds of creative businesses and helping young Londoners to develop their careers in the creative industries.

The area boasts a rich heritage of craft and creativity, long known as a centre for the manufacture of furniture, printing machinery, leather goods, children’s toys, propellers, and motors, among much else. Today, it has evolved into a cultural destination, particularly for evening and nighttime visitors with several breweries and drinks producers playing a leading role in shaping Blackhorse Lane’s evening economy. The Blackhorse Beer Mile, a curated trail featuring 10 independent breweries and drinks producers anchors the creative scene, stretching along Blackhorse Lane to Lockwood Way.

Several of these venues also double as music and event spaces, helping to establish the area as a cultural destination for visitors across London. These locations offer a vibrant mix of beverages, live music, and community programming. Events range from comedy nights and film screenings to family discos, craft markets, DJ sets, and a dedicated games hall, creating inclusive experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds. 

We’ll have more to share on what’s happening in Blackhorse Lane soon, to stay up to date, follow Blackhorse Collective on Instagram or sign up to our Blackhorse Collective newsletter.

*of which is £550,000 UK Shared Prosperity Funding.