ENTREPRENEURS in creative businesses in the Tees Valley area are banding together to promote their sector and boost the local economy.

A new network called CommonXCollective was launched on Tuesday morning in Darlington library with a message of support from the Tees Valley mayor, Ben Houchen.

The network already has an active year planned, culminating in an inaugural symposium which will be held in the Darlington Hippodrome in September.

The project is the brainchild of Andrea Freeman, who has recently relaunched the famous Darlington knitwear Beehive brand.

It aims to bring together people who work in creative and digital businesses – everything from arts, architecture, culture, craft fashion, design, publishing to advertising – to support and collaborate with each other to help their businesses grow.

She said: “CommonXCollective has been created to form a dynamic and super-connected network of like minds, enabling guidance and mentorship.”

She feels that these usually small businesses operate beneath the radar of local authorities and they need to work together to find a voice.

There will be an annual programme of events and workshops, and a quarterly publication, which will lead up to the autumn’s symposium at the theatre, which will feature keynote speakers.

An app will be launched soon, and other ideas in the pipeline include the launch of a business cafe in the heart of Darlington.

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, told the breakfast launch event: “Digital commerce is hugely important to the future of the area with creative businesses keeping the spirit of forward-thinking entrepreneurial endeavour alive.

“I applaud CommonXCollective for tapping into the same imaginative spark that helped make the railways a reality and the world a smaller place.

“I look forward to working alongside the CommonXCollective to do all I can to promote the region as a powerhouse for creative and digital industry on the global stage.”

  • Based in Darlington, the collective is open to everyone in the creative community, be they freelancers or business owners.
  • For more information, visit commonxcollective.uk, which will soon be up and running.