Channel 4’s vote of confidence in North as Leeds bid triumphs
Broadcaster chooses city for new HQ – with 300 jobs to come
LEEDS HAS been unveiled as the new home for broadcaster Channel 4 in a move commentators claimed would create huge opportunities and usher in a new era of television.
The city was chosen ahead of rivals Manchester and Birmingham to host the channel’s new headquarters, bringing 300 jobs to the city.
In an unexpected boost, the broadcaster will also bring to Leeds a major new Channel 4 News hub which will include a studio with the capability to regularly co-anchor the programme.
The move will be part of the biggest change to the structure of the channel in its 35-year history, even though it will keep its base on Horseferry Road in London.
It will also set up “creative hubs” in both Bristol and Glasgow.
The Yorkshire Post understands that the relocation process is expected to begin as early as next year, with the new studio and headquarters to be up-andrunning by 2023.
The 300 jobs will include “key creative decision-makers with significant spending power”.
The board of Channel 4 backed the Leeds bid unanimously and praised the bid’s power and capacity.
Alex Mahon, chief executive of Channel 4, said: “Leeds put forward a compelling and ambitious strategy for how they could work alongside Channel 4 to further build the strong independent production sector in the city and develop new diverse talent from across the region.
“Locating our national HQ in Leeds enables us to capitalise on a strong and fast-growing independent production sector in cities across the North of England – and also has the potential to unlock growth in the North-East and East of the country, an area without a major presence from other national broadcasters.”
The exact location for the new headquarters has yet to be established although it is understood Channel 4 bosses are considering a number of options in the city.
Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Leeds offers a home in the heart of the UK and the North, with strong links to screen, and a constantly evolving creative sector with huge ambitions to be even greater in the next few years and beyond.
“Together with Bradford, we have one of the youngest and fastest growing labour markets in the UK, and the news of Channel 4 choosing Leeds will have a very positive impact on these generations, and is a real triumph for the city and wider region.
“With no other major broadcaster in the North-East this news is very welcome, and will allow us to shine a light and really cement the world-class work in film and TV that is taking place in Yorkshire and the wider North.”
Roger Marsh chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and another of those who led the bid, said: “I am thrilled that Channel 4 is coming to the Leeds City Region, a decision that will bring huge opportunities.
“We are already discussing with Channel 4 how our shared ambitions can be delivered as quickly as possible. Channel 4’s decision can truly ‘Be the Spark’ for a once-in-a-generation chance to rapidly grow our digital and creative sector, unlock opportunities for our talented young people and draw international attention to our region.
“Channel 4 has recognised the opportunity offered by our young and diverse population.”
THE DECISION to make Leeds the new headquarters for Channel 4 will be a “game changer” for the city, writer Kay Mellor has said.
Following the channel’s announcement to relocate staff to West Yorkshire, Leeds-born Mellor, best known for penning series including Fat Friends, The
Syndicate and Girlfriends, said: “It’s absolutely the right decision, every indie got behind the campaign and we’ve got the right result.
“Leeds is the perfect fit in terms of location and talent and we’ll all be there with open arms to welcome them to our wonderful city.
“It’s a game changer for Leeds, putting us firmly on the media map. I am so proud.”
A statement from her Yorkshire-based production company, Rollem Productions, said on Twitter: “We are absolutely delighted that Leeds will be the location of @Channel4’s new National HQ. So proud of our city, and the exciting times to come.”
Sally Joynson, chief executive of Screen Yorkshire, which worked with the bid team, said the decision was “hugely significant for the sector and a validation of the city’s production expertise and potential for further growth”. She added: “We have worked tirelessly with the Leeds City Region team throughout the bid process and believe passionately that it will enable Channel 4 to engage with and better reflect audiences outside of London.
“Today’s decision will be transformational to the screen industries in the Leeds City Region – and indeed across the North of England. We look forward to welcoming Channel 4 and working with them to capitalise on the creative opportunities that this bold move brings.”