Channel 4 has chosen Leeds as the location for its new national headquarters.
The broadcaster will move 200 of its 800 employees to the West Yorkshire city but will keep another headquarters in London.
Channel 4’s Chief Executive, Alex Mahon and the Channel 4 Board have today confirmed that Leeds will be the location of its new National HQ and Bristol and Glasgow will be the locations of its two new Creative Hubs. #4AlltheUK pic.twitter.com/Sb937NwBNh
— Channel 4 Press (@C4Press) October 31, 2018
Leeds was chosen above Birmingham and Greater Manchester, which were also on the final shortlist.
Channel 4 has also confirmed it will open “creative hubs” in Bristol and Glasgow.
The news was hailed by Tom Riordan, CEO of Leeds City Council.
We’ve done it! The best news today that @Channel4’s national HQ will be in #Leeds. THANK YOU so much to all involved in this brilliant pitch, from Bradford, York and @leedscityregion to @screenyorkshire @truenorth and @allinleeds! #allinleeds #4sparks https://t.co/i24eYapFd9
— Tom Riordan (@tomriordan) October 31, 2018
The new national HQ and creative hubs will be home to 300 jobs when fully established.
Channel 4 said the Leeds City Region put forward a “comprehensive, compelling and ambitious strategy” to partner with the broadcaster and the wider sector to support growth in the production and creative industries, and to nurture new talent from diverse backgrounds.
“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,” said CEO Alex Mahon.
Craig Burrow, director of Leeds at regional property firm Bruntwood, said the city has “all the attributes to grasp this wonderful opportunity”.
“The city of Leeds is currently undergoing a bold cultural revival and is at the forefront of the digital technology revolution, so news that Channel 4’s HQ is coming here will help to boost the success, talent and reputation of the city and the region,” he added.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street described the news as a “huge disappointment” but stressed that the work that has gone into the bid has not been wasted.
Clearly the news that Birmingham has not been successful in the Channel 4 bidding process is a huge disappointment. However, the work that has gone into the bid has not been wasted. As we progressed through we saw a growing sense of collaboration and commitment across the region.
— Andy Street (@andy4wm) October 31, 2018
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham echoed a similar sentiment.
Congratulations to Leeds on becoming the home of Channel 4’s new National HQ, and to Glasgow and Bristol on their success. We are, of course, disappointed that Greater Manchester will not be the new home of Channel 4 but we are proud of the bid process we ran #Channel4
— Mayor Andy Burnham (@MayorofGM) October 31, 2018