West Midlands is a 'broadcaster's dream' - campaigners step up efforts to attract Channel 4
The West Midlands has been described as a 'broadcaster's dream' by campaigners who are calling on Channel 4 to relocate its headquarters from London to the region.
Andy Street, West Midlands Mayor, is leading efforts to attract the channel to the region after the Government said it should move base to benefit talent across the UK.
Along with Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield and Bristol, the West Midlands has been put forward as the next location for the new home of the channel, which was launched in 1982.
And yesterday, campaigners pitched their cases in live recordings from Birmingham, Coventry and West Bromwich.
In West Bromwich, at the YMCA base in Carters Green, the Express & Star hosted a 10-minute recording for both Twitter and Facebook.
WATCH the Facebook Live here:
It featured West Bromwich-based Creative Black Country's creative director Parminder Dosanjh, Creative Academics Network chief executive Jerrel Jackson, Raised by Wolves actor Theo Johnson and Smethwick-based hip-hop artist Malik Harrison, who goes by the name MalikMD7.
Ms Dosanjh had led projects like 100 Masters, which promotes local talent while celebrating the Black Country's history.
She said: "The question is, why shouldn't Channel 4 come to the West Midlands.
"This area is full of so much in terms of creativity, stories, people from all over the world who have made their lives here.
"It is rich, its exciting, its diverse and I think it is a broadcaster's dream."
Mr Jackson's group showcases talent in the region. He said local talent should not have to travel to London to get a platform.
He said: "It [Channel 4 coming to the West Midlands} would provide a platform for young people, as well as the next generation. It would give them a great opportunity to thrive and to build up while not moving out of the area. The opportunities are on our doorstep.
"This is what it is about, developing home-grown talent which can actually grow and live in this area. It would make people understand why groups like us have to be here to support talent."
Mr Johnson played Callum in the Channel 4 series co-written by Caitlin Moran. He got the job in an audition which took place in the West Midlands.
He said: "There's loads of talent, loads of young, hungry people who are ready to be involved in something and just need a platform. Channel 4 brings creditability and will help immensely and give them a chance to be in position.
"This area has helped me loads, I would not be here without it."
As part of the live recording Malik performed a minute-long prose on growing up in the Black Country.
He said: "It [West Midlands} would be a great place, just a great hub to develop our talent which would not have to travel to develop - our talent is right here."
Areas proposed for the channel's headquarters in the West Midlands are Coventry, Birmingham, Dudley and Solihull.
Mr Street said bringing Channel 4 to the region would generate £2.3 billion of gross value added (GVA) between 2021 and 2030.
Last year the former Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said she would use legislation to force Channel 4 to move if it refused to do so voluntarily.
She was replaced by Matt Hancock in Theresa May’s reshuffle this week, and it remains to be seen whether the new Culture Secretary will adopt the same approach.
Last night, a Channel 4 spokesman said: “We are discussing with Government how we can build on the substantial impact Channel 4 already makes in the nations and regions and further increase our support for creative talent right across Britain.”
