Leeds has been revealed as Channel 4’s new home, with Greater Manchester losing out in the battle to house broadcaster's new national HQ.

Bristol and Glasgow will get two new 'creative hubs', it has been announced.

Bosses in Manchester and Salford fought to have the new base in the city centre or MediaCityUK.

The conurbation went head-to-head with a raft of other hopefuls nationwide for the prize.

Many had expected Birmingham to emerge the victors, its Tory mayor Andy Street having run a particularly vocal campaign since the start of the process.

In the end, Channel 4 plumped for Leeds, commending bosses for having a 'compelling and ambitious strategy'.

"Following discussions between Channel 4 and ITN, it has also been decided that a major new Channel 4 News hub will be established in Leeds, following the decision for Channel 4 to be located there in a new building including a studio with the capability to regularly co-anchor the programme," a statement read.

The government had launched a consultation 18 months ago about a proposed move out of London for the broadcaster, a move initially opposed by Channel 4.

Ministers were insistent, however, and a bidding war ultimately ensued between regional cities across England, Wales and Scotland.

(Image: PA)

Each put forward a proposal outlining the benefits of their respective areas, concentrating on a range of aspects including the level of digital skills available, transport links and the wider appeal of their cities as a place to live.

As part of that Greater Manchester put in a bid on behalf of the whole region, not specifying specific sites - although it suggested either MediaCity, already home to the BBC and ITV, or the city centre, potentially around the former Granada Studios sites, as locations.

Over the summer, Channel 4 chiefs visited each city on its shortlist to discuss what they had to offer.

Mayor Andy Burnham, Manchester council leader Sir Richard Leese and Salford council leader Paul Dennett hosted the broadcaster at an event in the Hilton, at which the existing benefits of the region - which sees itself as a digital capital - were highlighted.

A result had been expected by some at Tory party conference earlier in the month, but that was then put back to this week.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester council, said: "Greater Manchester is already an established national broadcasting centre with a huge talent pool and flourishing creative industries. We firmly believe that relocation here would have strengthened both Channel Four and this existing creative ecosystem and are disappointed that they have not chosen to come here.

"However, our ambitions are undiminished and we will continue to pursue opportunities to further grow jobs, opportunity and creativity in the city."

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Salford mayor Paul Dennett said: “It is disappointing Channel 4 are not joining the Greater Manchester creative and digital cluster.



“We firmly believe that we established the national value of cities and regions specialising in areas where they have a competitive advantage in order to grow – we have unrivalled infrastructure in Salford and Greater Manchester, which will continue to develop, competing not just with London but internationally.



“We would like to wish Channel 4 every success for the future.”

A spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority said: “We are, of course, disappointed that Greater Manchester will not be the home of Channel 4’s new national headquarters.

“We are a proud city-region of innovation and our creative businesses and employment are truly thriving.

"With almost 8,000 digital and creative businesses, employing more than 82,300 people and generating £4.1bn of economic growth annually we are already home to the largest digital and creative cluster outside London. Greater Manchester’s creative, digital and media sectors will continue to go from strength to strength regardless of today’s announcement.

“We still believe that Greater Manchester would have been the right home for Channel 4’s National HQ and we are proud of the bid process we ran. However, our heartfelt congratulations go to Leeds."

Alex Mahon, Channel 4 chief executive said: “Leeds put forward a compelling and ambitious strategy for how they could work alongside Channel 4 to further build the strong independent production sector in the city and develop new diverse talent from across the region.

"Locating our National HQ in Leeds enables us to capitalise on a strong and fast-growing independent production sector in cities across the north of England – and also has the potential to unlock growth in the north east and east of the country, an area without a major presence from other national broadcasters."