Nottingham stakes an interest in Channel 4 move from London

Nottingham has submitted a response to the Government’s consultation on increasing the regional impact of Channel 4 Corporation. Nottingham is one of a number of UK cities highlighting the potential for regional economic growth by housing Channel 4 in the regions and better connecting it to regional creative talent. The bid, led by Place Marketing Organisation, Marketing NG, shows the potential impact on GVA and identifies sites which would be suitable for development as Channel 4’s new home. Nottingham has a number of redevelopment sites which would be ideal to house the broadcaster, including the Island Site and Unity Square. Both sites offer a city centre location adjacent to the main transport hub, and potential for Channel 4 to shape the development in order to create its perfect new home. Brendan Moffett, Chief Executive at Marketing NG, said: “We believe the Midlands is the right choice for Channel 4 – the region is home to a young, digitally talented community, and Nottingham could offer a very high profile location and excellent creative community links. “Nottingham is a city renowned for its pioneering spirit and desire to drive change through constant innovation. We believe this spirit is a perfect fit for Channel 4, with its remit to reflect the strength and diversity of the modern British creative economy and represent the voices of a new generation. “Nottingham would provide the perfect location to help Channel 4 connect with the very best regional talent and deliver significant value to the local economy.” Nottingham has a history of nurturing leading businesses – from global fashion empire Paul Smith to Experian, Capital One, Boots and Speedo. Channel 4 would have a significant presence in the city, and its relocation here would further boost the regeneration of the city centre, which is already well underway. Professor Edward Peck, Vice-Chancellor, Nottingham Trent University, said: “We support the consultation submitted and its proposal of Nottingham as an ideal location for Channel 4 in future. A relocation to Nottingham would both benefit from and contribute greatly to student development opportunities, strengthening further the creative industries sector here and growing the talent base of the City.” Sir John Peace, Chair of The Midlands Engine, said: “Channel 4 coming to the Midlands would be a vote of confidence in the region’s ability to lead the national challenge of driving economic growth and furthering our ambitions to be known nationally and internationally as the best place in Britain to live, work, study and invest.” Nottingham is one of the UK’s most cost effective locations, with top line office space less than a quarter of equivalent space in London, and was recently named as the top city in Britain for stretching your salary further. The city is ripe for redevelopment of this kind, and has many sites which could be considered for this opportunity. The city’s two gold standard universities are renowned for their graduate talent, and there is a recruitment catchment area for the city of 1.1 million people. Greater Nottingham has the youngest workforce of the UK’s core cities. Over £1billion has been invested in the city’s infrastructure in recent years, including the extension of the city’s tram network. “Although the East Midlands is the fastest growing economy in the UK outside of the South East, there is still a major gap when it comes to London and the rest of the country. There’s a reason Nottingham needs a growth opportunity like this. “Nottingham is perfectly compatible with Channel 4’s ethos and values. It’s a youthful, creative, energetic and enterprising city, and an opportunity like this would be transformational for the local economy,” said Moffett. http://www.investinnottingham.com/ Media contact: Erin Huckle, Communications Manager, Marketing NG: erin.huckle@marketingng.co.uk / 0115 962 8304 / 07411 355 293