Creative Shropshire pools talent in new Midlands network

Shropshire’s creative professionals are banding together to form a network, Creative Shropshire, with the lofty ambition of rivalling Birmingham’s creative scene.

The group, which is composed of 12 founder members, including designers, copywriters, photographers and illustrators, aims to encourage local firms to use the skills of local creatives and will act as a networking facility for its members.

‘Shropshire is home to many small [creative] businesses, but few of them communicate with each other. Our aim is to create a central point of communication, share ideas and increase our marketing potential as a group,’ explains Phoot Creative director Steve Ashdown, a founder member of the network.

The group, which has received funding from Switch On Shropshire, sports a logo, created by Warren Brindle of The Proof Creative Services, and a website, www.creativeshropshire.org, designed by Wenlock-based Virtual Shropshire.

Creative Shropshire is now in the midst of a recruitment drive and a ‘speed networking’ evening is planned for mid-April that will see creative talent meet local government and local businesses. Examples of members’ work are also being exhibited at the Shrewsbury Music Hall.