Historic England publishes guidance for turning heritage buildings into creative industry hubs

New national guidance prepared by Harlow Consulting and Purcell has been issued by Historic England, revealing how underused heritage buildings can be transformed into vibrant hubs for creative and cultural businesses.

Harlow Consulting and Purcell have produced new national guidance for Historic England demonstrating how vacant and underused historic buildings can be successfully repurposed as thriving centres for creative enterprises.

Aimed at developers, local authorities, not-for-profit organisations and individual entrepreneurs, the guidance outlines a practical roadmap for turning heritage sites into productive assets that support local economies.

Drawing on research into more than 90 successful conversions – from textile mills and industrial sites to historic churches – the document highlights the growing potential of creative business hubs to revitalise communities. Examples such as The Custard Factory in Digbeth, the Creative Quarter in Leamington Spa, Cromford Mill’s Building 17, Spike Island in Bristol, Tileyard North in Wakefield and Ashton Old Baths in Ashton-under-Lyne demonstrate how once problematic buildings can become catalysts for wider economic and social regeneration.

Many of the case studies focus on sites located in areas facing long-term deprivation or decline.

The research shows that creative uses often provide a viable and transformative solution where other development options may be limited, breathing new life not only into individual buildings but into their surrounding neighbourhoods.

The guidance captures lessons from projects at every stage from shaping an initial vision and acquiring a building to securing consents, undertaking construction and managing sites once operational. It offers practical advice on everything from business planning and marketing to long-term maintenance and stewardship.

Read the report in full

"Creative businesses love to work in historic buildings. These spaces are full of stories and character and are a source of inspiration, helping to spark new ideas. With the Government’s commitment to supporting our creative industries, we can be confident that there will be a continuing strong demand for quality workspaces converted from former mills, factories and other historic buildings."

– Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, Co-CEOs, Historic England

"What we’ve seen time and again is that creativity can unlock potential where conventional development struggles to take hold. When these buildings are brought back into use in imaginative ways, the impact reaches far beyond their walls - it can shift confidence, activity, and opportunity across a whole neighbourhood. This guidance brings together the lessons learned to help others navigate the process with greater clarity and confidence.”

– Clare Vokes, Director, Harlow Consulting

“Historic buildings can provide unique and characterful workspaces which appeal to the creative entrepreneur and help to draw economic activity into rundown areas. Our research shows that when vacant and underused historic buildings are opened up to creative and cultural businesses, they don’t just find a new purpose - they become powerful engines for regeneration.”

– Will Holborow, Associate, Purcell

Historic England publishes guidance for turning heritage buildings into creative industry hubs

New national guidance prepared by Harlow Consulting and Purcell has been issued by Historic England, revealing how underused heritage buildings can be transformed into vibrant hubs for creative and cultural businesses.

Harlow Consulting and Purcell have produced new national guidance for Historic England demonstrating how vacant and underused historic buildings can be successfully repurposed as thriving centres for creative enterprises.

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