Goldsmiths supports creative businesses in Haringey to grow

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Goldsmiths is providing a new business growth programme to support creative businesses and traders in the north London borough, ahead of Haringey’s year as London Borough of Culture in 2027.

A large mural painted on a brick wall, with a blue background, branches, pink flowers and lots of different types of birds — Mural ‘Birds of different feathers flock together’ by Phoebe Swan at Wood Green Mall (Credit: Haringey Council)

The six-month programme, which is fully funded by Haringey Council, is open to applications from established business owners, freelancers and sole traders working in Haringey’s creative sector. It will include a mixture of workshops and one-to-one mentoring sessions.

Participants will receive tailored help to clarify goals and potential avenues for growth and support from experienced creative business coaches, as well as access to a series of workshops and events, and connections to resources and local networks.

Businesses will be supported to develop:

Business resilience (such as understanding supply chains and improving financial stability)
Confidence and core business skills (like planning, budgeting and strategic decision making)
Marketing, social media and branding expertise
Business model development, staff recruitment and retention
Routes to market, upskilling opportunities and preparation for tendering

The programme aims to help businesses to prepare to make the most of opportunities associated with Haringey’s time as London Borough of Culture next year.

Mike Waller, Professor of Design and Innovation in the School of Design, will lead in-person sessions focussing on innovation. Nicola Turner, Associate Lecturer in the School of Creative Management, will deliver workshops and mentoring.

Nicola Turner, Associate Lecturer, MA Creative & Cultural Entrepreneurship, said: “I am delighted to be delivering creative business mentoring, workshops and clinics for enterprises across the cultural and creative industries in the run up to Haringey Borough of Culture.”

Goldsmiths has a terrific track record in supporting creative business development and I hope that we can work together to enhance and elevate the excellent creative work that is happening across the borough to build sustainable creative businesses and enduring entrepreneurial relationships and networks.

Nicola Turner, Associate Lecturer in the School of Creative Management

Expertise in supporting creative businesses to grow

As a creative institution, Goldsmiths is uniquely placed to combine creativity with business skills. Expertise in both core business knowledge and the specificities of the creative sector allow Goldsmiths colleagues to offer tailored, thoughtful support to creative businesses who are looking to grow.

Goldsmiths experts have previously worked on delivering programmes in Lewisham, such as the annual Lewisham Business Resilience and Growth (BRAG) programme, the Southwark Creative High Street project, with local businesses in Bromley, as well as the British Library’s national Get Ready for Business Growth programme.

Find out more about Goldsmiths’ work with businesses and partnerships