A PLATFORM is being created for enterprising creative outfits in Bolton through a government scheme.

Blueprints for The Creative Scale-up programme, backed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) are set to be unveiled by GC Business Growth Hub later this month.

And with several social and media agencies located around the borough, opportunities are there to pick up some useful advice.

A DCMS spokesman said: "With a buzzing community of creative businesses, Greater Manchester boasts one of the country’s leading creative forces, and contributes an estimated gross value added (GVA) revenue impact of £1.4bn to the UK economy from culture and creative industries.

"Creative Scale-up is an exciting new initiative fully funded by DCMS, designed to empower creative businesses in the Greater Manchester region to realise their full growth potential, gain investment to take their business to the next level and build on what is already a thriving industry in the Greater Manchester region."

Some of the areas covered at the January 16 launch, which will take place at Neo, in Charlotte Street, Manchester, from 10am, include planning for growth, ensuring firms have investor-ready finances and how they can be structured for expansion.

Marketing strategies, sales skills, confident pitching and managing intellectual assets are also touched upon.

Keynote speakers and several presentations have been lined up to get the various messages across.

The spokesman added: "At the event you will hear from leading creative industries businesses operating in the Greater Manchester region as well as keynote speeches from the Creative Scale-up team and DCMS, who will introduce the programme.

Those interested in taking part are being asked to register online at https://www.businessgrowthhub.com/creative-scale-up-programme

The exclusive programme offers a fully tailored approach, using a simple module-based curriculum, including:

Planning for growth

Investor-ready finances

Structure and leadership designed for growth

Understanding and managing intellectual assets

Market strategy for rapid growth

Sales skills for creatives

Pitching with confidence

A winning investment pitch

Join us from 10:00am on 16 January for networking, keynote presentations and lunch, plus find out more about our exciting new programme. At the event you will hear from leading Creative Industries businesses operating in the Greater Manchester region as well as keynote speeches from the Creative Scale-up team and DCMS, who will introduce the programme.

If you are a scaling Creative Industries business located in the Greater Manchester area and are interested in participating in the Creative Scale-Up Programme, please register here