An initiative to promote collaborative working in Liverpool’s creative sector saw over 600 delegates attend networking events during IFB.

“Creative Kitchen” held at Oh Me Oh My in Liverpool, brought together some of the city’s creative experts to work together sharing ideas, promoting growth and establishing Liverpool as a creative leader.

The initiative is led by Studio Mashbo, and Liverpool Vision organisation ACME, which supports the creative sector in the city.

Creative Kitchen launched with a developers event, with more than 72 developers attending the Developer breakfast. While their “Grow it, Protect it” event, saw 48 people attend, looking to grow their own creative enterprises.

Over 800 connected devices have been used during the Creative Kitchen events and the quirky tea shop Oh Me Oh My is rapidly being established as the city’s creative hub, according to organisers.

Creative Kitchen curator and Studio Mashbo managing director Gavin Sherratt said:

“The whole week has been very positive with some amazing feedback, there is hunger within the creative and digital sector to showcase our talent and to develop our knowledge. The Creative Kitchen events during IFB have shown the passion and pride that the creative industries have in Liverpool and that message has been echoed beyond the walls of Creative Kitchen with our mixture of International and regional delegates attending the events.

“A personal highlight for me was the Grow it, Protect it! session which attracted a wide range of agency owner and managers who are looking to grow their business and to hear that we all have similar issues and stories to share. The session created an environment where we could listen and learn about growing our businesses.”

Glenn Griffiths, Head Designer at the Design Project, one of the delegates at the event added:

“Well organised, laid back, informal, fantastic speakers, amazing venue – just a few superlatives to describe the Grow It, Protect It event put on by Creative Kitchen at Oh Me Oh My, I felt there was something for everyone. It was also a great networking opportunity to meet and chat with potential future collaborators, which is invaluable to our company – it ticked all the boxes as far as I’m concerned. I’d love to see more Creative Kitchen events put on throughout the year and I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking this.”

Kevin McManus from ACME said:

“It was a really positive week at Creative Kitchen which showed the genuine depth and vibrancy of the sector in the city. We have had great feedback from people from outside the city who have gone away incredibly impressed by the businesses they have met and the overall strength of the creative offer available in Liverpool.”