Brent & The Need For Take Your Shot Studios:

We are in a time of enormous change, facing new challenges as we continue to tackle the economic and social consequences of the past few years.

The issues we have experienced have confirmed and highlighted the deep inequalities in our communities, but they have also demonstrated what can be achieved if businesses, councils and communities work together to make a better future.

Borough Plan 2023-2027 Stats: Local Economic Fact Card:

▶ Brent is home to 339,800 residents, of whom 65% are Black, Asian, and other minority groups.

▶ Brent is London’s 5th most populous borough.

▶ We’re a young borough – our residents have an average age of 35, which is 5 years below the national average.

▶ Brent residents speak 149 different languages.

▶ Brent saw one of the largest rises in unemployment during the pandemic: the unemployment rate tripled – the 3rd biggest rise in England. Around 24,310 residents were claiming unemployment-related benefits in February 2021 – 11% of the working age population.

▶ Brent saw one of the highest furlough rates: around 33,600 jobs, belonging to Brent residents, were furloughed at the end of January 2021 – 9th highest in England.

▶ Self-employed residents were heavily affected by the pandemic: 24,400 relied on government support during the winter lockdown in 2020 –the 3rd highest in England.

The UK economy has shrunk, but recovery and growth has been forecast. However, the long-term prospects of young people, minorities and lower-income communities will be seriously affected.

Digital Skills - Future Workforce - Entrepreneurship

In a rapidly-evolving digital landscape, Take Your Shot Studios supports talented digital entrepreneurs to move an enterprise out of the home to Olympic Way, Wembley Park, a prime location at the heart of Brent’s economy.

We Aim To:

▶ Drive the growth of individual enterprises - integrating them into Brent’s business community, and supporting them to access new business opportunities with Brent suppliers

▶ Increase the number and diversity of Digital Entrepreneurs in Brent

▶ Create new opportunities for the development of digital skills and employment

▶ Encourage women and minority communities to engage with the digital economy