Tune in to Brum, says Peaky Blinders creator
THE creator of hit TV drama
has urged Channel 4 to move to Birmingham.
Steven Knight, who is set to open a major film studio in the city, said he was happy to spell out to the publicly-funded broadcaster why it should join him here.
Mr Knight followed in the footsteps of MPs and community leaders in spelling out a future for Channel 4 in the Second City after a consultation was launched over moving it out of London.
Competition is fierce to host the broadcaster, but with strong skills, low costs and access to the capital, Mr Knight said Birmingham had a strong offer.
And he is putting his money where his mouth is – saying he hoped to start work on a giant studio complex in the region by next year.
The Brummie writer said he was happy to sell the city to Channel 4, adding: “There are many, many, arguments for that move. Firstly, geography is history as far as I am concerned. You can work anywhere you like now.
“Also, Birmingham is an exciting, vibrant, city and in 10 years time you will be a matter of 36 minutes away from London on HS2. It will be like zone four.
“But even without that, Birmingham is changing. The area is a great place to be.”
Central to the negotiation will be Channel 4’s reliance on advertising – and the advertising sector being based in London.
However, the Birmingham delegation will push the fact the city has lower costs, is closer to independents, by virtue of being in the middle of the country, and is within an hour of the capital – and even shorter when HS2 is in place by 2026.
Shadow culture secretary Tom Watson said ruling out privatisa- tion was the “right decision” but it had taken the government “far too long ” to reach the decision.
“Moving some or all of Channel 4 outside London is an idea worth considering, but the most important thing is not where it is based but where it makes its programmes, creates jobs and spends money,” Labour’s deputy leader added.
Meanwhile, Mr Knight revealed his plans to build a major studio in the region were progressing well, with a developer already in place.
He is keeping tight-lipped on the location, but it is understood to be near the NEC and M42 corridor.
The writer and director was at the MIPIM property conference in Cannes earlier this month to attract support – and said interest was strong. He said: “We would like to link in with the BBC and it would be great to get Channel 4 involved too.
“These things are going to happen. We have had nothing but positive responses and green lights from the industry.
“Commercially, it is win-win.
“We know that there is a huge demand for studio space in this country and along with the studio we want to create a hub for theatre, film and television and a place where you will want to go and where the media can cluster.
“It is really very exciting and we would hope Channel 4 would follow.”
There are many, many, arguments for that move Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight