IT’S TIME 4 A DECISION
BATTLE HOTS UP FOR CITIES VYING TO BE HOME OF CHANNEL 4 HEADQUARTERS... AND COVENTRY’S VERY MUCH STILL IN THE RUNNING
THE battle is on among UK cities and towns to become the new home of Channel 4 –with Coventry one of those in the running.
The broadcaster’s chief executive Alex Mahon has announced plans to move 300 staff out of London and increase its spend on productions in the nations and regions from 35% to a voluntary 50%.
The broadcaster will not sell its London headquarters in Westminster but will establish a “national headquarters” outside of the capital where “creative decision makers who are spending money will be based,” it was announced.
The fact it will not be a full-scale relocation may disappoint some but Coventry could well cash-in, with Friargate touted as the perfect location for the broadcaster, given its proximity to the railway station and its fast and regular intercity services to London.
The move will be part of the biggest restructure of Channel 4 in its 35-year history, Ms Mahon said.
Channel 4 News will be “on the move” and will establish three new bureaux, she added, saying: “These three new creative hubs will be reducing our footprint in London and opening up the space we create in Horseferry Road to be used by indies and creative companies from the nations and regions so we can play a part in expanding their businesses.”
She added: “I do believe it will help us speak to the rest of the UK, and will help the rest of the UK speak to us.”
Ms Mahon said: “Finding new people, finding new talent is a core part of Channel 4’s DNA, it’s what we do and it’s who we are and that is the purpose that I joined here for.
“I do think it’s worth saying that the need for that in the UK right now is greater than ever. We live in a world of fake news, in which trust in our democratic institutions and our news is falling and Britain feels rather divided and disenfranchised post the Brexit referendum and for us at Channel 4, a broadcaster like us is here to host the nation’s conversation and we have a really important role to play.”
Channel 4’s announcement was widely expected after the Government said it wanted the state-owned but commercially funded broadcaster to relocate and already the West Midlands has entered the fray in becoming its new home.
Coventry is one of four Midlands locations in a joint bid submitted by West Midlands Mayor Andy Street – along with Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country. The West Midlands bid has been backed by the #WMGeneration campaign.
Culture Secretary Matt Hancock welcomed the news and said: “We have long been committed to Channel 4 moving out of London. “I’m delighted Channel 4 have decided, under the strong new leadership of Alex Mahon, to establish the new national HQ outside of London, with 300 jobs, including key creative decision makers, to be based in the regions, rising over time.
“I know that many parts of the UK will be excited to pitch to be the new home of C4.
“We want all parts of Britain to benefit from our amazing creative industries, and C4’s leadership with a new national HQ outside of London is an important part of building a Britain that works for everyone.”
Telegraph editor Keith Perry wrote an open letter to the board members of the publicly-owned and commercially funded public service broadcaster in December, saying why Coventry is far and away the best choice for its new home.
Other regions have also submitted proposals. A government consultation received bids to bring Channel 4 to Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Greater Manchester, Nottingham, Plymouth, Sheffield, Stafford, Stoke and York.
The Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact) welcomed the announcement that Channel 4 will be increasing its spend outside of London to 50% by 2023.
In a statement, Pact said: “This is what Pact has campaigned for to help all companies secure more network commissions.
“Our members overwhelmingly see commissioning spend to be the most important way to achieve regional economic growth, build creative clusters and help serve audiences. ”
Pact said it will be working with Ms Mahon and director of programmes Ian Katz “to ensure that there is a higher volume of returning series from the nations and regions over the coming years”.
I know many parts of the UK will be excited. We want all parts of Britain to benefit from our amazing creative industries. Culture Secretary Matt Hancock