ATTENTION is turning to broadcasting how important Warrington is for the digital sector after it was hailed as a ‘hotbed of talent’ which is driving economic growth.

Saul Peake, from Warrington-based digital agency Carpe Diem, shared research data from the Centre For Towns with councillors at the recent supporting the local economy policy committee meeting.

He confirmed that, with 6,905 jobs, Warrington has the third largest digital employment catchment in the whole north west, ahead of Liverpool and only behind Salford and Manchester.

Additionally, in relation to digital jobs, Warrington ranks tenth highest in the country.

Committee chairman Cllr Tom Jennings (LAB – Bewsey and Whitecross) said: “We know Warrington is already a hotbed of digital talent that is driving economic growth.

“The next challenge, therefore, is to broadcast just how important we are for the sector and why Warrington is best suited for start-ups and sector investment.

“Mosaic’s Digital Summit this May and Carpe Diem’s #LookUpWarrington campaign will be crucial to this.”

Mr Peake also gave an update on the progress and impact of Opus, the co-working space in the Pyramid, opened by Carpe Diem in partnership with Culture Warrington, which is dedicated to digital creatives and technology entrepreneurs.

Following a February visit by the chief executive of Arts Council England, Darren Henley, the venue is said to be ‘attracting high-profile attention’ from across academia and the private, public and third sectors.

This is reflected by WA Games, who meet at Opus once a month and had a speaker from Sony PlayStation on April 18, as well as Caoimhe Roddy, a WA Games member, who is running a Girls Make Games workshop at Orford’s FabLab on May 18, sponsored by Opus.

Furthermore, it has been stated the number of delegates to Opus open house events has ‘demonstrated the demand’ for a digital home in Warrington and is ‘motivating conversations about Opus2 already’.

Rob Griffiths, Director of {hello} VITA, organisers of the English Half Marathon, also attended the committee meeting.

He said: “We were the first members of Opus back in November 2018.

“As well as seeing the space and vibe at the Pyramid Arts Centre change, we have seen that our business accelerated due to exposure to other digital businesses around us.

“We took the conscious decision to transform from being just an events business to become a ‘live and digital experience’ company.

“Opus has been key for us to make that transition.”