Sheffield loses out on Channel 4 bid

They have today (Monday) announced that Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds have all made it through for final consideration for either the two creative hubs or the national HQ.

While Bristol, Cardiff and Glasgow are all still in the running as future bases for the creative hubs.

Channel 4 will now enter into detailed discussions with the six selected cities over the summer, a process which will be led by Channel 4 Executive Board member and Chief Commercial Officer, Jonathan Allan.

The locations for the new National HQ and two Creative Hubs will be announced in the autumn.

Mr Allan said: “Our visits to the 13 shortlisted cities over the last month were incredibly inspiring and I’d like to thank all of those involved for the huge amounts of creativity they demonstrated and the excitement for Channel 4 and what we could achieve together.

“We have again had to take some very difficult decisions on which cities to take forward to the next stage, but we believe the six cities we have selected are best able to deliver against our vision and requirements for the new National HQ and Creative Hubs.

“The National HQ and Creative Hubs are only one part of our ‘4 All the UK’ plan, which has at its heart, a commitment to significantly increase our Nations and Regions contend spend by £250 million over the next five years.

“We therefore look forward to working closely with all those cities and regions that have been involved in the pitch process, as we look to catalyse that spend and support digital and production companies right across the UK.”

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, cabinet member for business and investment at Sheffield City Council, said: “We produced a brilliant bid for Channel 4 and we know that it has given the city a big boost to be considered as a new home for the broadcaster.

“We are absolutely determined that this is just the start in fulfilling our ambitions to build a world-leading digital and creative industry. We have so many pieces already in place from grass roots film-makers and digital journalists to established operators with a global reach like Warp Films.

“We have two award-winning universities turning out the film-makers and journalists of the future as well as the UTC and Sheffield College who played such an important part in our bid.”

John Mothersole, chief executive of SCC, said: “We are naturally disappointed after pulling together such a strong bid which brought the city together.

“The message is clear – we are a city that can shout about its many strengths and be a force to reckon with.

“The feedback from the broadcaster was clear – we excelled and our people excelled, and my thanks go to everyone who got us to this stage. Channel 4 has committed to work with Sheffield in the future.”