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Deptford Economic Development Partnership

The CUCR was a founder member of the Deptford Economic Development Partnership, which arose from the Pepys Community Forum SRB Evaluation. Along with our colleagues in the Business Development Office at Goldsmiths, we have provided research and administrative support to the partnership.


Deptford has a vibrant local economy, with a unique identity and particular strengths and weaknesses. The Deptford Economic Development Partnership was formed in 2004 to bring together all of the agencies working to support businesses, jobs and investment locally. Our key purpose is to ensure that Deptford residents and Deptford businesses get the benefit of economic changes in the area and that economic development activity responds to local needs. In other words, we want to make sure economic development is “locked” in to the local area – rather than displacing or marginalising local residents, local people should be able to access the benefits of economic growth.

We work on the principle that there has to be a shift towards a more strategic, "joined up" and seamless approach to economic development work, avoiding gaps and overlaps in provision and ensuring that supply and demand are matched. We bring together organisations in lots of sectors – voluntary and community organisations, the local council, not-for-profit companies and educational institutions. The first piece of work we did, Mapping the Economy of Deptford, was to start to identify the needs and priorities of the local economy. From this, we developed an action plan, with plans under a number of headings: Access to premises, Meeting the Need for Skills, Business Support, Access to Finance, The Knowledge Economy and Marketing Deptford, as well as sector strategies, such as for the food sector. We have started applying for funds to develop this work.

We want to build on the strengths of the area. For example, we are particularly interested in smaller businesses, including those currently the informal sector – “home biz” – helping people into the formal sector and find wider publics for their skills. Deptford is a creative place, so we are particularly interested in the “creative and cultural industries”, but we define these broadly, to include things like catering and hair and beauty. Similarly, one of Deptford's strengths is a rich sense of community and responsibility, so we are particularly interested in enterprise that is ecologically and socially sustainable.

We are unique and innovative because:
  • We are bottom-up. We are a grassroots initiative from a local community-led organisation, Pepys Community Forum, who helped to bring together agencies working on the ground in Deptford.

  • We are opportunity-led. Rather than focusing on the deprivation of our neigh bourhood, we focus on maximising and cultivating opportunities.

  • We are strategic and sustainable. We are focused on the long-term future of the area, recognising that real change can take a generation not a quick fix.

  • We are knowledge-based. We have nurtured a strong knowledge economy, basing our work on evidence of need, backed up by partners in local universities.

  • We are a genuinely cross-sector partnership. Our partners include agencies from the voluntary, community, statutory, educational and private sectors.
Partners include:
  • Cockpit Arts
  • Creakside Forum
  • Creative Lewisham Agency
  • Deptford and New Cross Credit Union
  • Goldsmiths College
  • Head for Business
  • London Borough of Lewisham Economic Development Unit
  • London Borough of Lewisham Town Centre Management Project
  • London Small Business Growth Initiative
  • Pepys Community Forus
  • REETA: the Refugee Employment, Education, Training and Advice Partnership
  • South East London Economic Development Agency
  • TrinityLABAN
For more information, e-mail Ben Gidley.


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