In the heart of Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle, a transformation has unfolded over the past 15 years. What was once a collection of derelict warehouses is now a thriving creative ecosystem, home to over 100 businesses, thanks to Baltic Creative CIC, writes Lynn Haime, CEO at Baltic Creative.
This community interest company didn’t just invest in buildings, it invested in people, ideas and the potential of the North’s creative and digital industries.
The success of Baltic Creative proves that when businesses are given the right environment to connect and collaborate, innovation follows. The model blends urban regeneration with flexible, affordable spaces and has not only redefined the Baltic Triangle area but also serves as a blueprint for other cities looking to cultivate their own creative hubs. Yet, unlocking the North’s full potential requires more than just spaces, it demands stronger connections between businesses, city leaders, and investors across the region.
That’s where Bloom comes in.
Bloom is Baltic Creative’s flagship event, designed to bring together the North’s most ambitious creative minds – entrepreneurs, strategists, and doers – all driven by the same goal: to push the creative and digital sectors forward. Bloom is more than just an event; it’s a catalyst for collaboration, designed to provide businesses with the insights, tools, and networks they need to scale.
Through its support hub, Bloom offers attendees tailored guidance from a curated selection of organisations – experts in funding, growth strategies, and partnerships. These aren’t just transactional encounters; they are meaningful conversations, helping businesses refine their propositions, explore new opportunities and lay the groundwork for lasting success.
The North of England has always been a powerhouse of creativity and innovation, from Liverpool to Manchester, Leeds to York, and Newcastle to Sheffield. Each city has its own strengths, but together, they form an economic force that can compete on a global scale. With the UK Government’s recent £60 million funding boost for the creative industries, the moment is now to double down on investment in creative clusters, ensuring businesses have the support, infrastructure, and visibility needed to thrive.
Baltic Creative CIC exists because of public sector support and strategic investment, but today, it stands as a self-sufficient private company. It is a testament to what can be achieved when public and private sectors collaborate effectively. By transforming disused warehouses into a thriving business community, Baltic Creative has pioneered a model of urban regeneration that prioritises creative and digital industries. Now, through Bloom, it is encouraging other Northern cities to work together, share knowledge and build stronger connections to ensure the entire region thrives.
The creative and digital industries in the North are more than a collection of individual businesses – they are an ecosystem. Ecosystems flourish when they are connected. Bloom aims to highlight what when Northern cities come together, ideas turn into action, collaborations spark, and businesses grow stronger. The future of the North’s creative economy isn’t just about one city’s success; it’s about building a collective vision that elevates the entire region.
By fostering a culture of collaboration, investment and shared ambition, Northern cities have a unique opportunity to shape their own future – one where creativity drives economic resilience, where businesses thrive, and where the world looks to the North as a leader in innovation.
The stage is set. The connections are forming. The opportunity is there. Now is the time to seize it.
Bloom is taking place on March 6th at Camp & Furnace, Liverpool – be part of the conversation, make meaningful connections and unlock new opportunities.
Tickets are available now, you can buy them here: https://Bloom2025.eventbrite.co.uk
