Channel 4 HQ site blow
GLASGOW will not be hosting Channel 4’s new national headquarters.
Broadcaster Stuart Cosgrove, who was leading the bid, said they were disappointed but had loved showcasing Glasgow’s talent.
GLASGOW has missed out in a bid to host Channel 4’s new national headquarters.
The city has not been shortlisted for the next stage of negotiations for the base but is still in the running as a potential location for a smaller creative hub, the channel said.
The headquarters will instead be based at one of the three cities and regions still on the shortlist – Birmingham, Greater Manchester or Leeds.
Glasgow was the only Scottish city bidding for the headquarters under the leadership of broadcaster and author Stuart Cosgrove.
He said: “Obviously we’re really disappointed not to be shortlisted for the national HQ, but the creative hubs are still a substantial prize and one that we’ll be working hard for.
“We’ve loved showcasing Glasgow’s great TV, design and music talent.
“We already know Glasgow’s one of the UK’s cultural powerhouses and this has been a great opportunity to remind people of that.”
It appears that Glasgow’s distance from London by rail has worked against the bid.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The enthusiasm, excitement and support behind Glasgow’s bid to host Channel 4’s national HQ is testament to the city’s thriving and diverse creative community.
“While Glasgow has not made the final stage of the competition for the national HQ, the city’s strong bid – led by Stuart Cosgrove – means it has been shortlisted as a potential creative hub.
“In this next stage of the competition, we will continue to do all we can to support Glasgow City Council, working with Scotland’s screen and digital sector, to attract a new hub to Scotland.”
Channel 4 will move 300 staff out of London to three new bases next year in the biggest change to its structure in its 35-year history, with the largest being the new national HQ.
The TV company is also looking to set up two commissioning hubs outside London, as well as the new National HQ.
Leeds, Birmingham and Greater Manchester are in the running for the headquarters.
Bristol, Cardiff, and Glasgow are in the running for the creative hubs.
Glasgow’s bid received public support from both Edinburgh and Dundee.