Greater Manchester shortlisted for Channel 4’s National HQ

THE Mayor of Greater Manchester, Leader of Manchester City Council and Salford City Mayor have responded to the announcement from Channel 4 that Greater Manchester has been shortlisted as a potential location for Channel 4’s new National HQ.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “We are extremely pleased that Greater Manchester has been shortlisted for the chance to welcome Channel 4 to our city-region.

“Greater Manchester has the best devolution deal of any city-region and the unique strength of our creative, digital and media sectors sets us apart.  As a former Culture Secretary I know what Channel 4 are looking for and we will make sure we build on our strengths as we finalise a formidable bid.

“We are a city of innovation and our creative businesses and employment are truly thriving which makes the Greater Manchester city-region the perfect home for Channel 4’s National HQ.”

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "We welcome Greater Manchester's shortlisting. As an established broadcasting centre with a flourishing creative industry sector and a supply of highly-skilled graduates from our city's universities we believe we have the ingredients in place not just to support the relocation of a major part of Channel 4's operations but also for the organisation's future growth." 

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “We put forward a very compelling case to bring the broadcaster to the northern powerhouse.

“It is fantastic to see that Greater Manchester has quite rightly been shortlisted as a home for Channel 4’s new second National HQ.

“The success of MediaCityUK in Salford is a perfect example of how co-locating brands and related supply-chains out of the capital to the north can provide a competitive advantage and help to rebalance the economy. 

“The ecosystem of digital tech and media businesses established at MediaCityUK is the fastest growing cluster of its kind in the country for a reason – Greater Manchester is Britain’s second city where you want to be if you are doing business.”