The City Fringe Partnership (CFP) is an economic development and regeneration partnership, set up to increase economic growth and social inclusion in the area to the north and east of the City of London.

Established in 1996, we are funded by, and work in partnership with, the City of London and the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Islington and Camden as well as the London Development Agency.

Our aims are to encourage small and medium-sized business growth and to develop employment opportunities in industries located within the City Fringe area.

Through our investment in Metropolitan Works, we are helping to transform furniture and product design by supporting innovation and assisting companies to use new digital technologies to develop products. In the City Fringe more than 4,000 people are employed in the sector. We support Metropolitan Works with its programme of creating workspace for designers, exploring digital creative practices, providing access to new technologies and showcasing talent.

London Metropolitan University is also a key partner in the delivery of a CFP –manufacturing support programme for the furniture industry which started in July 2006 and has been funded with just under half a million pounds (PUT IN NUMBERS) from the London Development Agency. The university’s Furniture Works programme, part of Metropolitan Works, encourages London-based furniture makers to use design for innovation. With this funding, manufacturers will have access to training in marketing, design management and the use of new technologies.

In the jewellery sector we have also funded a project partnership between Metropolitan Works’ Gold Works project, Holts Academy of Jewellery and the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre to provide bespoke training and access to technology for designer-makers and manufacturers.

For further information about our activities in these and other sectors, please visit the City Fringe Partnership website: www.cityfringe.org.uk