Disappointment at not winning Channel 4 national HQ bid

Greater Manchester voiced its disappointment at missing out in the race to host the second national headquarters of broadcaster Channel 4, today.

The station revealed that it had chosen Leeds, ahead of Greater Manchester and Birmingham.

Two creative hubs will also be located in Bristol and Glasgow, the broadcaster confirmed.

Had the region been successful in its bid, it was understood the new base would have been situated in MediaCityUK.

Almost 300 jobs are expected to be transferred from Channel 4’s London base to the new hub.

Liverpool had also mounted a campaign to host the new facility, but was not shortlisted in Channel 4’s July announcement.

Reacting to this afternoon’s news, Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Greater Manchester is already an established national broadcasting centre with a huge talent pool and flourishing creative industries.

“We firmly believe that relocation here would have strengthened both Channel 4, and this existing creative ecosystem and are disappointed that they have not chosen to come here.

“However, our ambitions are undiminished and we will continue to pursue opportunities to further grow jobs, opportunity and creativity in the city.”

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “It is disappointing Channel 4 are not joining the Greater Manchester creative and digital cluster.

“We firmly believe that we established the national value of cities and regions specialising in areas where they have a competitive advantage in order to grow – we have unrivalled infrastructure in Salford and Greater Manchester, which will continue to develop, competing not just with London but internationally.

“We would like to wish Channel 4 every success for the future.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Combined Authority said: “We are, of course, disappointed that Greater Manchester will not be the home of Channel 4’s new National Headquarters.

“We are a proud city-region of innovation and our creative businesses and employment are truly thriving.

“With almost 8,000 digital and creative businesses, employing more than 82,300 people and generating £4.1bn of economic growth annually, we are already home to the largest digital and creative cluster outside London.

“Greater Manchester’s creative, digital and media sectors will continue to go from strength to strength regardless of today’s announcement.

“We still believe that Greater Manchester would have been the right home for Channel 4’s National HQ and we are proud of the bid process we ran. However our heartfelt congratulations go to Leeds.”

When Manchester was shortlisted in the race for the new headquarters in July this year, Sir Richard Leese, said: “This is brilliant news.”

He added: “We welcome Channel 4’s decision to shortlist us which we believe is a massive vote of confidence in Greater Manchester and reflects the area’s established track record as a national broadcasting centre, a dynamic region with access to a wealth of creative talent and somewhere capable of supporting both existing and new business operations.

“We look forward to continuing to make this case. This would be a further boost for the area’s growth trajectory.”

Earier in the year, in April, Manchester was touted as the front runner in the race, due to its status as a centre for media and cutting-edge firms.

The success of MediaCityUK and the relocation of the BBC to the North West put Manchester firmly on the media map.

Property investment expert InvestorSquare said while the media business may have been reluctant to make the move, the decision is likely to aid Channel4 in serving the entire country.

InvestorSquare founder Ross Kelly said: “Manchester is one of the hot favourite places to become host to C4’s new HQ, which will see at least 300 of the station’s 800 staff, and their families, relocate to the chosen city.

“Manchester is already experiencing a 7.53% average rental price growth as the city booms in confidence and this influx of talented professionals would further boost the thriving buy-to-let market.”

“It has fast become one of the coolest UK cities to live in, with an enviable mix of culture, education and business.

“Of course, the city has always been home to successful media organisations such as Granada: home of ‘Corrie’ and Sherlock Holmes.

“Now, as well as ITV Granada, the BBC has moved in to MediaCity in Salford in a big way.”

Ross Kelly said: “Young professionals are attracted by the business and creative hubs, and of course provide attractive buy-to-let opportunities for investors.

“Channel 4 is going to be extremely tempted by the pool of talent and facilities already available in Media City.

“The breadth of properties available for letting will also doubtless be a strong factor in the city’s favour as the channel seeks to relocate key staff.”