Channel 4 representatives to visit Newcastle and Gateshead as part of creative hub bid

The team aiming to bring Channel 4 to the North East are now urging people to get behind the bid as they prepare for a visit from the broadcaster next week.

Last month, it was announced that Newcastle and Gateshead had reached the shortlist for one of two new creative hubs that Channel 4 is currently searching for.

The broadcaster has plans to create a new National HQ and two creative hubs, leading to the creation of 300 new jobs.

The NewcastleGateshead Initiative, a joint bid by Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council, was shortlisted after beating out competition from over 30 bids submitted by cities and regions from across the UK.

The bid team are now planning for stage two of the pitch process which will see representatives from Channel 4 visit the region next week.

Businesses and individuals from across the region have already shown their support to the bid with more than 100 people coming together to create a giant human 4 on the Quayside as part of a film being prepared for Channel 4’s visit.

A social media campaign - #4theNE – has also been launched.

Cllr Nick Forbes, Newcastle Council leader, said: “It’s great to see creative minds from across Newcastle and Gateshead coming together to show Channel 4 why we’d be a perfect match for them.

“We’re a region with so much to be proud of, and now it’s time we shouted about it. Newcastle and Gateshead sit at the heart of a modern, digital UK, and as we prepare to welcome Channel 4 I’d urge everyone to get behind the campaign and show off the Tyneside we love and the people who make it so successful.”

Cllr Martin Gannon, Gateshead Council leader, added: “It’s important that we and the people of Tyneside keep on telling Channel 4 why Newcastle and Gateshead would be the perfect location for one of their creative hubs.

“We have built a sustained and well-deserved reputation for seizing pioneering cultural opportunities and we’re geared up to add to those with the addition of a creative hub.”

Catherine Walker, inward investment director at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, also commented: “We’ve received amazing support from throughout the region after being shortlisted for a creative hub.

“It is absolutely clear that our collective ambition to bring Channel 4 to the region really matters, there is a shared belief that this opportunity would be transformational and that there are plenty of partnership opportunities to support Channel 4 with their targets to increase regional content and commissioning.

“The industry has really got behind the bid and it was great to see so many people join us last week when we created a giant human 4 down on the Quayside and the campaign is really gathering momentum.

“To have a Channel 4 creative hub here would be brilliant for the TV and film sector in the region and we are urging businesses and residents to get behind our social media campaign in the run up to Channel 4 visiting to highlight the support that we have from throughout the region.”

The Channel 4 pitch, 4AlltheUK, will conclude later this year with locations expected to be announced in October.