#WmGeneration: Top talent make plea to bring Channel 4 to West Midlands
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.
WATCH: These creatives tell Channel 4 why it should relocate to the West Midlands
And today, campaigners pitched their cases in live recordings from the region.
Creative Black Country’s creative director Parminder Dosanjh 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: “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.”
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 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.”
