Belfast Shortlisted For New Channel 4 Creative Hub

Belfast is on a shortlist of locations for a new Channel 4 Creative Hub, alongside five other UK locations.

Channel 4 has announced the shortlist of cities and regions which have been selected to participate in the second stage of the pitch process for both a new National HQ and two new Creative Hubs, as part of '4 All the UK' strategy.

The first round pitch process was launched by Chief Executive, Alex Mahon in April where cities and regions were asked to provide written submissions by 11 May, outlining the strengths of the city or region and how it could meet Channel 4's vision for the National HQ or Creative Hub – as set out as part of the pitch entry guidelines.

Over 30 submissions were received in this first round from across the UK. These were reviewed and assessed by Channel 4 and a shortlist for the National HQ and Creative Hubs has been agreed by Alex Mahon, Chief Commercial Officer Jonathan Allan, and the Executive team.

Each of the shortlisted cities will participate in a second stage process – which will include Channel 4 visiting each city for a presentation and Q&A. Following this, Channel 4 will engage in further discussions with cities and regions as necessary, before selecting the final locations in October 2018.

Channel 4's Chief Commercial Officer, Jonathan Allan, who is leading the pitch process said: "We've been incredibly impressed both by the number of pitches we received and by the high quality of the submissions – which has underlined the huge amount of creativity, innovation and talent right across the UK.

"However we have to move to a shortlist phase and, after careful consideration by the Channel 4 Executive team, we've selected 13 cities that are best able to meet our vision for our new hubs in the Nations and Regions. We look forward to visiting all those on the shortlist as part of our second phase, but we will also be continuing to work with all cities and regions as part of our strategy to increase investment and support creative businesses, jobs and growth across the UK."

Channel 4 announced its 4 All the UK plan in March 2018 – a strategy to ensure that Channel 4 serves the whole of the UK and the biggest change to the structure of the organisation in its 35-year history.

At the heart of the strategy is a major new commitment from Channel 4 to significantly increase its Nations & Regions content spend from its current quota of 35% to a new voluntary target of 50% by 2023.

(MH/LM)