PowerHouse Hub (Mallorca, Spain) is staging for a month at Baltic Creative in Liverpool, thanks to the European Creative Hubs Network Peer-to-Peer Scheme (P2P) to support networking and development of new hubs around Europe

Baltic Creative was stablished in 2009 to give space and support to the creative and digital industries in the city of Liverpool and it has played a principal role in the regeneration of the Baltic Triangle Area. So don’t confuse Baltic Creative with the Baltic Triangle, the last one used to be a neglected area of the city, now living a bloom thanks to an eclectic, fresh and cosmopolitan rehabilitation plan based in people, business and vibe. Imagine a depressed historical city area, next to what it used to be the biggest port in England during 18^th and 19^th centuries, merchandise being stored in impressive brick buildings taken by a community of energetic professionals. Old meets new, hard industry meets creative industry, hard times meet better times. Baltic Creative (among other diverse entities and companies) has been deeply involved in this transformation. In any case, this is an amazing example of urban regeneration and business support through the establishment of an added value industry, creative and digital industries. Now Baltic Creative has 5 buildings (4 devoted mainly to digital industries and 1 to creative industries, very different communities) and more than a hundred businesses operating, locally and internationally.

PowerHouse Hub develops projects in culture and innovation area, and for a long time we have put our efforts and vision in creating a creative and cultural hub in Palma. Since 2014, we have been working in what we consider a pilot project for this hub, Think up Culture! Many things happen during this program (mentorization, talks, business, fun and knowledge) but above all it is a place for opportunities for cultural and creative entrepreneurs. Here, in our region, it does not exist a place where creative, cultural and digital professionals can operate as visible community. In an economy led by tourism, there are other supplementary industries that can add value not only to economy and jobs but the reputation of our territory, probably damaged by mass and cheap tourism.

These are two very different realities, facing the challenge of transformation and doing things in another way and in a better way, at least trying. As an emerging hub, we feel that this peer to peer experience is vital, a great opportunity thanks to Baltic Creative (Mark Lawler and his team Alison James, Mia Tagg and Chris Green. Surely a small team for such a big and growing project), the European Creative Hubs Network and David Parrish.  After less than a week here in Liverpool, talking with different people about their views, I think all it is about having and sharing a vision, building a strong and committed community, economic viability and take the opportunity as it come.