Held at the Chesterfield Hotel, Chesterfield, the often outspoken and controversial designer was keen to share his expertise and inspiration to help local creative businesses achieve greater success.

Hemingway, who along with his wife, Geraldine, built the street style fashion brand Red or Dead into an international label. After 21 seasons on the catwalk, they sold red or Dead in a £multi-million deal. The couple now run their own company, Hemingway Design, which specialises in affordable design, working on projects as diverse as urban planning though to interior and product design.

He told the audience:

“When I started out in business, making the right contacts was as important as my products and it’s great to see initiatives like the Greenhouse working so well. Pooling creative resources and building close local networks puts smaller businesses in a much stronger position to compete with the large city agencies and secure the opportunities they need to grow."

Since the Greenhouse’s launch in 2006, around 200 local businesses have benefited form membership of the Greenhouse which hosts regular network meetings with guest speakers and provides access to a wide range of business support services.

Through its website, www.creativegreenhouse.org.uk businesses can access all the latest relevant news and events information, showcase their company, find freelancers and promote job opportunity.

Ashfield based Lindsay Devine Glass Ltd has benefited from being part of The Greenhouse: “It is a fantastic support system bringing together like-minded local businesses within the creative sector and providing opportunity to share services, pass on experience and advice.

“Hearing success stories from creatives such as Wayne Hemmingway is a fabulous way to boost embryonic businesses with big aspirations. . .  it proves great things can be achieved by ‘normal people and makes you more determined!”

The Greenhouse is funded by The Alliance SSP, Ashfield District Council, Bassetlaw District Council, Bolsover District Council, Chesterfield Borough Council; Derbyshire County Council; Mansfield District Council; Newark and Sherwood District Council and North East Derbyshire District Council.

Leader of Ashfield District Council, Cllr. Jason Zadrozny, met Wayne Hemmingway at the Greenhouse event.

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