Comedy star Tez Ilyas and internationally designer Wayne Hemingway MBE to headline creative event at Accrington Stanley

Stars including Tez Ilyas and Wayne Hemingway MBE are heading to Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium next month for a special event celebrating Hyndburn’s thriving creative community.

The ‘Create Local. Go Global’ event, organised by Hyndburn Borough Council, will take place on Thursday 26th March from 10am to 1pm in Stanley’s 1968 Lounge. The free half-day event is designed for Hyndburn’s creatives and makers, offering inspiration, practical advice and valuable networking opportunities.

Guests will enjoy tea and coffee on arrival before hearing from some of Lancashire’s most successful entrepreneurs who have built national and international reputations while staying true to their local roots.

Star of British comedy Tez Ilyas will headline the event, sharing his journey from local beginnings to international comedy stages. From the success of his debut stand-up hour TEZ Talks and sell-out runs at Soho Theatre and the Edinburgh Fringe, to appearances on Live at The Apollo, The Last Leg and Mock the Week, Tez has become one of the UK’s most celebrated comedians. His Channel 4 comedy Blap ‘Bounty’ is the most watched show in the strand’s ten-year history.

Tez Ilyas said: “I’m really looking forward to coming to Accrington and speaking at ‘Create Local. Go Global’. It’s always special to be back in Lancashire and to connect with creatives who are building something from the ground up.

"I know first-hand that you don’t have to leave your roots behind to achieve big things, and I’m excited to share my journey and hopefully inspire others to think beyond their postcode.”

Following Tez’s talk, a special panel discussion will explore how creatives can break beyond their postcode, why owning your story matters, what works and what doesn’t on social media, and how AI is set to impact the creative sector.

The panel features Wayne Hemingway MBE, designer and co-founder of HemingwayDesign and Red or Dead; multidisciplinary artist Jamie Holman; British South Asian artist and Assistant Producer of the British Textile Biennial, Zara Saghir; and Zara Neild, founder of Zara Cakes and Zara Cakes School, who has turned local creativity into a nationally recognised brand.

The discussion will be hosted by William Seabrook, brand strategist and founder of branding agency Patn, who brings more than 20 years’ experience helping brands and places grow.

Wayne Hemingway MBE said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for creatives in the local area to come together, network and gain real practical skills and insights. There is so much talent in Lancashire, and events like this help unlock that potential by sharing honest experiences about what works, what doesn’t and how to build something that can travel far beyond where it started.”

The event will also feature a special showcase of local creative businesses exhibiting their work and ideas, including Smart Floral Art, Space2Make, Bubbleducks and East Lancashire Learning Group. The morning will conclude with lunch and further opportunities to connect and collaborate.

East Lancashire Learning Group has sponsored gift bags for attendees, designed by students at Accrington & Rossendale College. The bags will include a Zara Cakes cupcake and voucher, a brownie from Finch Bakery, Bubble Ducks soap, Super Slow Way badges and leaflets, Smart Floral Art leaflets and more, highlighting the strength and variety of local creative enterprise.

Councillor Munsif Dad, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for local creatives. There is so much going on across Hyndburn’s creative sector, and this event brings that energy together in one place. We are excited to be hosting it in such a world-class facility at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium. Places are limited, so I would encourage anyone interested to book early and make sure they don’t miss out.”

Places for the event are limited. Hyndburn creatives can book their free spot by emailing [email protected]

Funding for this event has been provided by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.