Thames Estuary Production Corridor

Unlocking and maximising state of the art production facilities for the creative and cultural industries

Published in 2020, the Thames Estuary Production Corridor “From Vision to Action” report sets out a clear case for investment and action plan, and provides a strategy for delivery of flagship production spaces across the region.

“Our vision for the world’s largest creative production corridor is bold. It will position London and the South East as a world leader for the creative industries on a scale never seen before, creating a landmark corridor along the Estuary, powering skills opportunities and new jobs.”

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

We Made That were commissioned by the Greater London Authority and the South East LEP, together with Hatch Regeneris and Tom Fleming Creative Consultancy, to carry out detailed research to develop the case for investment for the Thames Estuary Production Corridor. The research made the case for investment in state of the art production facilities for the creative and cultural industries along the Thames Estuary, creating a strategy for a significant new programme to unite east London, the North Kent Coast and South Essex to create a world-class centre for creative and cultural production: leading global innovation, creating new jobs, developing local talent and supporting the rapid growth of the creative economy.

The report marked the culmination of a year-long programme of activity in 2018-2019 that included granular research into baseline conditions across the Estuary, and consultation with over 200 local and external partners and stakeholders.

The Thames Estuary Production Corridor will play a crucial role in London and the South East’s recovery, economically and socially, after COVID-19, potentially creating 50,000 jobs and generating £3.7bn for the UK economy.

Distribution of production facilities across the Thames Estuary

The Estuary is benefiting from unprecedented levels of regeneration investment, unlocking new homes and workspaces, and transforming regional and local connections. In London, it includes some of the most diverse communities in Europe, alongside areas of rapid growth and transition such as the Royal Docks, Thamesmead, Bexley Riverside, Woolwich, Deptford, New Cross and Dagenham Dock. Further east across North Kent and South Essex, towns such as Margate, Ebbsfleet and Southend have been redefining themselves around creativity and culture, capitalising on space, championing talent and investing in new facilities and infrastructure.

Production employment and business growth

The Thames Estuary Production Corridor's creative workforce

The Thames Estuary Production Corridor Partners has selected We Made That to lead a team to design and deliver the next phase of their ambitious project.

The project team is now working to identify new development sites for creative and cultural production, formulate action plans for the region’s high growth fashion and screen-based industries and develop feasibility studies for new flagship cultural infrastructure across the region.

High-end artist and creative studio in Greenwich

“A unique, self-sustaining, infrastructure to support creative businesses in a way that has not been seen before.”

Christian Brodie, South East LEP Chair

Project Details

Client: Greater London Authority and South East LEP
Status: Vision to Action published in 2020
Development of flagship production space ongoing
Team: We Made That, Hatch Regeneris, Tom Fleming Creative Consultancy, Hawkins\Brown, PRD, Ramidus, Maddison Graphic, Suzie Norton and Jan Miller
Download: Vision to Action