Leeds City Region submits bid to become home of new national Channel 4 HQ

On Friday (May 11th), Leeds City Region submitted its bid to Channel 4 for the broadcasters’ new National HQ outside of London.

The bid is a response to the broadcaster’s “4 All the UK” plan to support investment and jobs outside London.

The Leeds City Region has highlighted a number of themes including the region’s strong pool of young, diverse, creative and digitally-savvy talent.

The document also showcases the opportunity this provides for creative sector investment which currently focused on London and the western side of the UK.

The bid builds upon the #4Sparks campaign which brought together young creatives from across the region to attract Channel 4.

The campaign featured independent filmmaker Suman Hanif, who has commented on the opportunity of attracting Channel 4 to Leeds City Region:

Suman said: “I am very excited about the possibility of Channel 4’s relocation to the Leeds City Region, which is blessed with fascinating cultures, diversity and talents that are worth being discovered and showcased.

“The region has the perfect balance of modern innovations and well-maintained heritage. I am confident that Channel 4’s relocation would bridge so many of the gaps that come in the way of young ambitious filmmakers in the North.”

Roger Marsh OBE, chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, commented: “I’m delighted that the City Region has submitted this compelling bid for Channel 4. Opportunities such as this - ones which can truly transform a sector and impact on the lives of everyone who lives here - only come once in a lifetime.

“I believe firmly that our bid highlights the strength of our creative sector and the unique modern British voice that our young, diverse, creative and digital native population offers to the broadcaster.”

Cllr Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, added: “Leeds has a growing reputation as a leading hub for the digital sector. Our bid to Channel 4 highlights our strengths and reaffirms our commitment to work with the broadcaster to provide opportunities for people who live and work across the region.”

Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council, also said: “Leeds City Region is home to a dynamic digital ecosystem which is already attracting world leading technology businesses such as Sky and digital sports media company Perform.

“This provides Channel 4 with not only confidence but an established digital infrastructure including the only independent internet exchange outside of London, global connectivity at hyperfast speeds and the right talent to deliver their ambitions.

Channel 4 will be notifying all of the shortlisted bids at the end of May before moving forward with the process which is due to be completed and the successful bids notified in October 2018.

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