Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

This study examined the relationship between the cultural industries sector and strategies to promote Manchester as a competitive and creative city. Using in-depth qualitative interviews, the research had three aims. Firstly, to examine the working practices of small firms, entrepreneurs and intermediaries working within the key sectors of music, fashion, multimedia and design. Secondly, to examine the role of cultural industries within local economic development and regeneration discourse and practice. Thirdly, to examine the extent to which cultural industries have 'joined-up' with other competitive assets in the drive to re-image Manchester as a 'creative' city.

Main Topics:

This data collection consists of in-depth/semi-structured interviews with cultural entrepreneurs from a range of industry sectors, exploring their working practices, personal identities and perceptions of embeddedness within the city's economic and social structures.

Purposive selection/case studies

Face-to-face interview