Boris backs Hackney artistic hope for Olympics

Mayor keen for meida centre to be legacy for borough after 2012

LONDON mayor Boris Johnson has backed Hackney Council’s hopes for a media and arts hub in the borough in the aftermath of the 2012 Olympic Games.

He spoke in support of Hackney mayor Jules Pipe’s vision to see the press and broadcast centres in Hackney Wick taken over by creative, digital and media companies.

“These state-of-the-art facilities can become a great melting pot of creativity and innovation that will help existing businesses develop in one unique community, as well as nurturing new creative enterprises,” said Mr Johnson.

“There can be no better legacy for the London 2012 Games than a brand-new specialist business hub that makes Hackney Wick as synonymous with world-famous creative genius as Soho in London’s West End.”

He was speaking before an event at the town hall in Mare Street, Hackney, last week when about 70 developers and investors learned more about the site as part of a nine-week marketing drive by the Olympic Park Legacy Company.

Richard Boote, owner of Air Studios, based in Camden, north London, said: “I can see an operation such as ours bringing both music recording and post-production facilities to the site.”