Haringey Secures £70k Creative Zone Grant from Mayor 2026

Key Points

• Haringey Council has been awarded £70,000 by the Mayor of London to support and expand its Creative Enterprise Zone, known as Made by Tottenham.
• The funding aims to bolster creative industries, nurture local talent, and drive economic growth in North London’s Tottenham area.
• Made by Tottenham is a designated Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ) focused on film, media, design, and digital innovation.
• The grant forms part of the Mayor’s £3.2 million investment across 14 CEZs in London to enhance creative infrastructure.
• Funds will support skills training, business incubation, workspace development, and community engagement initiatives.
• This builds on previous investments, including £1.4 million already committed to Made by Tottenham since 2021.
• Local leaders, including Cllr Veve Mengisteab, hailed the award as a “game-changer” for Tottenham’s creative economy.
• The initiative aligns with London’s ambition to maintain its status as a global creative hub post-Brexit and amid economic challenges.
• Expansion plans include new collaborations with local artists, tech firms, and educational institutions.
• The announcement coincides with rising demand for creative spaces in Haringey, where creative employment has grown by 15% in recent years.

Haringey, Made by Tottenham (North London News) March 7, 2026 – Haringey Council has secured £70,000 from the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to expand its flagship Creative Enterprise Zone, Made by Tottenham, boosting the borough’s creative industries and local economy. This funding, announced as part of a broader £3.2 million package for London’s creative sectors, will support skills development, business growth, and infrastructure enhancements in one of North London’s most vibrant creative hubs. The award underscores Tottenham’s emergence as a key player in London’s creative landscape, amid efforts to foster innovation and employment in the post-pandemic recovery.​

What is the Made by Tottenham Creative Enterprise Zone?

The Made by Tottenham Creative Enterprise Zone (CEZ) is a council-led initiative launched in 2021 to transform underutilised spaces in Tottenham into hubs for creative businesses. As reported by Joe Coughlan of Enfield Independent, the zone encompasses film production studios, digital media workshops, and design ateliers along the High Road and surrounding areas. Cllr Veve Mengisteab, Haringey’s Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy and Culture, stated:

“This funding is a game-changer for Made by Tottenham. It will enable us to nurture the next generation of creative talent and cement Tottenham’s place on London’s creative map”.​

The zone has already attracted over 50 creative enterprises since inception, employing more than 300 local residents. According to Haringey Council’s official press release, Made by Tottenham benefits from partnerships with organisations like the Greater London Authority (GLA) and local universities, providing subsidised workspaces and mentorship programmes.

This latest grant builds on £1.4 million previously invested by the Mayor, which funded the initial phase including pop-up galleries and tech incubators.

Why Did Haringey Receive This £70,000 Funding?

Haringey’s bid was selected from a competitive pool due to its proven track record in creative growth. As detailed by Coughlan in the Enfield Independent, the funding criteria prioritised zones demonstrating high potential for job creation and innovation. Haringey highlighted a 15% rise in creative sector employment between 2021 and 2025, outpacing London’s average, alongside plans to create 200 new jobs over the next three years.​

The Mayor’s office emphasised the strategic importance of CEZs in diversifying London’s economy. In a statement attributed to Sadiq Khan via the GLA website, he said:

“Creative industries are the heartbeat of our city, generating £47 billion annually. Investments like this in Haringey will ensure London remains the world’s creative capital”.

Local economist Dr. Aisha Patel, quoted in MyLondon by reporter Sarah Johnson, noted:

“Tottenham’s affordable rents and diverse talent pool make it ideal for scaling creative ventures, especially as central London spaces become unaffordable”.​

How Will the £70,000 Be Utilised?

The funds will be allocated across targeted programmes to maximise impact. Haringey Council’s allocation breakdown, as outlined in their funding proposal covered by Coughlan, includes £25,000 for skills workshops in digital media and animation, £20,000 for business incubation grants, £15,000 for workspace upgrades, and £10,000 for community events.

These initiatives aim to support startups and freelancers, with a focus on underrepresented groups including BAME entrepreneurs and women-led firms.​

Cllr Mengisteab elaborated:

“We’re partnering with Tottenham Hotspur and local schools to offer apprenticeships, ensuring young people from estates like Northumberland Park gain real-world skills”.

Additional reporting from OnLondon by Dave Hill confirms plans for a new “Creative Makers Lab” featuring 3D printing and VR facilities, open to schools and SMEs. Hill quoted zone manager Liam O’Rourke:

“This cash injection lets us scale up – we’ve already hosted 50 events last year, drawing 5,000 visitors”.

What Impact Has Made by Tottenham Had So Far?

Since 2021, Made by Tottenham has revitalised derelict sites into productive spaces. Enfield Independent’s Coughlan reports that the zone has generated £2.5 million in private investment and supported 120 businesses, many relocating from pricier boroughs like Hackney. Footfall has surged by 40%, boosting nearby high streets with cafes and galleries.​

Local artist Zara Khan, featured in a MyLondon profile by Johnson, shared:

“Made by Tottenham gave me my first studio – now my designs are sold internationally. It’s changing lives here”.

Haringey’s economic data, cited across sources, shows creative output contributing 8% to the borough’s GDP, with unemployment in participating wards dropping 12%. Broader GLA metrics indicate CEZs like this have created 10,000 jobs citywide since 2020.​

Who Are the Key Players Involved?

Leadership spans council, GLA, and private sectors. Cllr Veve Mengisteab leads locally, with support from Haringey’s Inclusive Economy team. The Mayor’s office, via deputy mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, Justine Simons, approved the grant; Simons remarked:

“Haringey’s ambition aligns perfectly with our Creative Capital vision” .

Private partners include Tottenham Hotspur Foundation for youth programmes and tech firm Pixel Pioneers for mentorship. As per Hill in OnLondon, community groups like Love Tottenham CIC have co-designed events, ensuring inclusivity. O’Rourke, the zone’s operations lead, oversees day-to-day:

“Our model is collaborative – council seed-funds, then private money flows in”.​

What Challenges Does the Creative Sector Face in Haringey?

Despite gains, hurdles remain. High energy costs and gentrification pressures threaten affordability. Johnson in MyLondon quotes business owner Raj Patel:

“Rents are rising; without support, creatives get pushed out to Essex”.

Transport links, while improving with Northumberland Park station, still lag for late-night workers.​

Brexit has complicated EU talent flows, as noted by Coughlan:

“Haringey lost 10% of its freelance animators post-2021”.

The funding addresses this via visa support schemes. Climate goals also feature, with plans for net-zero studios, aligning with Khan’s green pledges.​

How Does This Fit into London’s Wider Creative Strategy?

This award is one of 14 across London, part of a £3.2 million pot. GLA data shows CEZs contributing to 750,000 creative jobs citywide [GLA source]. Haringey’s zone complements others like Deptford’s design hub or Croydon’s screen quarter, forming a network.

Khan’s team positions it as post-Brexit resilience:

“Creativity drives 16% of London’s economy – we must invest to compete globally,”

per Simons [GLA source]. North London focus counters South/Central dominance, with Haringey joining Enfield’s enterprise zone.

What’s Next for Made by Tottenham?

Expansion kicks off in April 2026 with a launch event at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Short-term: 50 new workspaces by summer. Medium-term: £500,000 private leverage for a permanent makerspace. Long-term: 1,000 jobs by 2030.

Mengisteab affirmed: “We’ll monitor every penny via public dashboards for transparency”. O’Rourke added: “Watch this space – Tottenham’s creatives are ready to shine”. Stakeholders anticipate multiplier effects on tourism and regeneration.

Why is This News Significant for North London?

In a borough long synonymous with deprivation, this signals transformation. Tottenham’s creative surge mirrors Shoreditch’s 1990s boom but with community focus. As Hill summarises: “Haringey’s £70k win proves grassroots innovation pays – a blueprint for outer London”.​

For residents, it means opportunities amid cost-of-living woes. Economically, it bolsters tax revenues for services. Culturally, it elevates Tottenham from football fame to creative powerhouse.