XR Stories supports York and North Yorkshire Local Growth Plan priorities

The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has published the York and North Yorkshire Local Growth Plan. The plan outlines how York and North Yorkshire will help to deliver growth in the region and for the UK.

The plan identifies the Creative Industries as one of five Competitive Advantage Sectors where York and North Yorkshire is best positioned to accelerate growth and productivity at a local and national level.

Highlighting the University of York, XR Stories and CoSTAR Live Lab as key regional assets, the plan sets out the following ambitions for the creative industries in York and North Yorkshire: 

• Increased R&D, innovation and product/service development 
• Increased start-ups, scale-ups and northern cluster development
• Increased supply of talent

The plan outlines proposals to unlock growth at strategic and operational levels including connecting the creative ecosystem, entrepreneurship, and inclusive and innovative skills development.

Damian Murphy, Director of XR Stories comments: “Since 2018, XR Stories has worked at the heart of the creative industries ecosystem in York and North Yorkshire, supporting researchers, creative practitioners and driving research in creative industries policy to inform planning at local and national levels. 

In 2025, XR Stories has undertaken extensive research and data gathering in relation to the creative industries in York and North Yorkshire. This work has taken place across different levels and perspectives, including an understanding of our regional creative economy through a community driven census. In the coming year, we’ll be using that data to support Local Growth Plan priorities.”

Published on 6 October 2025