Aitken shares joy after Channel 4 hub announcement

GLASGOW’S council leader has revealed her stomach was churning as she was told Channel 4 would create a new hub in the city.

Susan Aitken has revealed that she was given the news in a conference call with the channel’s chief executive Alex Mahon and bid promoter Stuart Cosgrove, who was in a train toilet during the conversation.

The news that the creative hub was coming to the city comes just months after Glasgow lost out in the race to have Channel 4’s headquarters.

Around 50 jobs will be brought to Glasgow as part of the move, which will see the channel’s headquarters moved to Leeds and a second hub being creating in Bristol.

Yesterday Ms Aitken said: “This is the first time that a UK broadcaster will have a location that will allow for new jobs for airing and commissioning.

“When I had to take the call from channel 4 my stomach was churning. I was extremely nervous.

“It was a conference and Stuart Cosgrove dialled in from a train toilet on his way to Bristol.

“There was lots of silent cheering going on.”

Ms Aitken also paid tribute to Mr Cosgrove, who led Glasgow’s initial bid for the new HQ and then for the creative hub.

Glasgow’s deputy council leader David McDonald described the city as “Scotland’s creative powerhouse” and thanked the bid team for their efforts.

It comes after Channel 4’s chief executive Alex Mahon heaped praise on the city after choosing to create the hub to tap into Scotland’s “rich cultural diversity”.