Bradford Business leaders have welcomed Channel 4’s decision to select Leeds as it’s new national HQ and sees it as creating a wealth of new opportunities for the area.

The decision to choose Leeds as the new national headquarters for broadcaster Channel 4 is fantastic news for Bradford, according to business leaders in the city.

Leeds was chosen ahead of Greater Manchester and Birmingham, and with closer working relationships than ever between the two West Yorkshire cities, it is set to open up a plethora of new opportunities.

Bradford played a key role in the Leeds bid, working in partnership with Leeds City Council and many other organisations and groups  to ensure the national broadcaster became a part of the burgeoning Northern Powerhouse.

And many believe it will be a game-changer, not only for Leeds, but for Bradford as well – particularly with the Bradford Council led Screen Skills Diversity Programme complementing the relocation.

With Bradford’s status as Unesco City of Film, and the growth of film and television production in the district as well as an increase in the number of media and digital companies, the synergies are clear.

Suzanne Watson, Bradford Chamber Vice-President and MD of Approach PR, believes it will open up new opportunities – and will make the region even more attractive to other potential businesses.

“Channel 4’s move to Leeds will be good for the sub-region, and not just that city itself.  There is now closer working between Bradford and Leeds than ever before, and that is paying off,” she said.

“Leeds is supporting Bradford’s campaign to bring NPR (Northern Powerhouse Rail) here, and, in turn, we backed the bid to get the TV HQ to our neighbour.

“It will bring new opportunities to the city, we are convinced of that.  Having the UNESCO City of Film designation, the Science & Media Museum, and a strong culture of creative and digital businesses so close to Leeds won’t do us any harm at all. 

“It also makes Yorkshire’s brand, reputation and attractiveness even stronger than it already was.”

The decision to come to Leeds was announced by Channel 4’s chief executive Alex Mahon at the end of October last year.

The fact that Bradford, the first UNESCO City of Film, is internationally recognised as a world centre for film and television, must have played a part in that decision.

“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,” said Miss Mahon.

David Wilson, Director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film, said the move could only benefit the thriving film and television production industry in the city.

 “Bradford is a fantastic place for film makers and we have seen a huge increase in film and TV production in recent years and this relocation will only help to increase this,” he said.

“Channel 4 relocating to the Leeds City Region combined with Bradford’s Screen Skills Diversity Programme is a real opportunity to create a more diverse and dynamic sector for the future.

“The skills development programme will link with the excellent training already available across the Leeds City Region at colleges and universities, and through apprenticeships. We hope the programme also inspires young people in schools across the region.”

As one of the main backers of the campaign to bring the channel to Yorkshire, Bradford Council believe the decision is a huge vote of confidence in the region.

Bradford’s Screen Skills Diversity Programme will complement the relocation, helping people from across the district and the wider region to gain skills and jobs in the film and television industry.

“I am thrilled Channel 4 recognised the potential in our young, diverse communities”

Coun Susan hinchcliffe, leader of bradford council

The programme is funded in part through the Leeds City Region Business Rates Pool and will be led by Bradford Council in conjunction with Screen Yorkshire.

A Creative Digital Arts Industrial Centre of Excellence will provide training, apprenticeships, industry-specific work experience, careers information and advice, mentoring and bursaries linking curriculums with the specific needs of the creative sector.

Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “I am thrilled Channel 4 have recognised the potential in our young, diverse and digitally-savvy communities and delivered a huge vote of confidence in this region by choosing to locate their national headquarters here.

“With a strong and improving transport network, a strong and outward-looking cultural offering and a high quality of life on offer, we are confident this move will prompt other creative and digital businesses to consider similar moves.

“Bradford is also delighted to lead, with Screen Yorkshire, the regional Screen Skills Diversity Programme, funded in part through the Leeds City Region Business Rates Pool.

“This will be launched early in the new year and support young people from Bradford and the wider region to have the skills, confidence and connections to forge a thriving screen industry.”

Sally Joynson, Chief Executive at Screen Yorkshire, who played a leading role in the campaign to get it to the region, said: “We are delighted that Channel 4 will be moving to the Leeds City Region. The relocation will also complement the work that we are doing with Bradford Council on the Screen Skills Diversity Programme.

“This initiative will help us in our priority of supporting more individuals from diverse backgrounds to forge their careers in the film and television sector.”