Shortlist of contenders to host new production hub will be announced on 30 May

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

More than a dozen cities across the UK – including Cardiff, Glasgow, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Birmingham – are expected to formally submit their bids on Friday to become the home of Channel 4’s second headquarters.

A shortlist of contenders to host the new production hub will be announced on 30 May, with the winning city unveiled on 1 October. The contest has sparked a fierce battle between local politicians who are keen to attract hundreds of high-profile jobs to their region.

Channel 4 won a drawn-out battle with the government against being privatised and forced to move its entire operation out of the capital. Instead it reached a deal that will involve transferring around 300 staff from its 800-strong Westminster headquarters to a base outside London, which will include a TV studio and host board meetings.



The broadcaster has said its second base must be in a city with a working population of more than 200,000 people, travel time to London of less than three hours, and high-quality physical and digital infrastructure.

Channel 4 has also pledged to build smaller regional “creative hubs” in two additional cities; spend substantially more money on programming from production companies based outside London; and co-host Channel 4 News from a studio outside the capital.

Birmingham has long been seen as the leading candidate, with the West Midlands mayor, Andy Street, saying he was confident of bringing the broadcaster to the region.



Glasgow’s bid has become a major cause for the Scottish government, with the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, backing the bid and her Scottish National party holding a debate in the Westminster parliament to make the case.

The Sheffield bid, chaired by the former Labour sports minister Richard Caborn, says the city offers “unrivalled” expertise and digital knowledge, while Leeds has promised “fascinating cultures, diversity and talents that are worth being discovered and showcased”.

Smaller towns and cities, ranging from Leamington to Port Talbot, have expressed an interest in applying for one of the broadcaster’s creative hubs.