Lewisham’s creative industries have been given a boost with more than £1.6m of investment from the Mayor of London for the creative enterprise zone in Deptford and New Cross.

The zone, called ShapesLewisham, includes the newly-opened Deptford Foundry which will see 85 new affordable artists’ studios opening at Second Floor Studios and Arts.

One of the largest purpose-build affordable studios in London, it has been built with £660,000 from the Mayor of London’s strategic investment fund.

A third of the studios have already been filled by artists and businesses who will give an hour of volunteering time each month to support charitable and community projects in the borough.

ShapesLewisham will also includes a new enterprise hub, which is expected to be opened at the end of next year.

The new hub at 301-312 New Cross Road will see affordable workspace for 100 local businesses, as well as giving training and advice to local entrepreneurs.

The hub will have a particular focus on supporting entrepreneurs from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and has won £1m from the Mayor’s Good Growth Fund.

It is expected the hub will create 80 new jobs.

The hub’s construction won’t start until later this year.

ShapesLewisham will also see the launch of a new online platform for local creative businesses to grow their networks, and access jobs and training opportunities.

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “I am delighted to see the brand new affordable studios open in Deptford – this is a major milestone in delivering the Mayor’s first-ever Creative Enterprise Zones and creating vital affordable workspaces in the capital.

Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham, said: “The opening of the Deptford Foundry is fantastic news for Lewisham. Deptford and New Cross have a vibrant and unique identity thanks to the diverse range of artists and creative enterprises that have made their home here, so providing affordable workspace for over 100 of them will mean they can thrive and inspire others.

“I am delighted the Mayor of London chose Deptford and New Cross as one of the capital’s first Creative Enterprise Zones. Along with funding from the Good Growth Fund and Strategic Investment Pot to support the new Goldsmiths enterprise hub, it will boost Lewisham’s creative reputation regionally, nationally and internationally.”

ShapesLewisham is one of the Mayor of London’s six creative enterprise zones.