Bid to bring Channel 4 to Warwickshire

A BID is being drawn up to bring Channel 4 to Warwickshire when it relocates its headquarters out of London.

The television channel - launched in 1984 - will also open two hubs in different locations in the UK.

Local authorities have the opportunity to bid to host the HQ or one of the hubs in their district and Warwick District Council aims to put in a bid for a hub in Royal Leamington Spa before the 11th May deadline.

The bid will focus on the benefits of being based in a regency riverside town, at the heart of the country, its successful digital creative economy.

Cllr Andrew Mobbs, leader, Warwick District Council, said: "I have been working in the background with senior officers for some time and met with Channel 4 last year.

"This is an exciting opportunity for our district, but we are entering a highly competitive process against bids from throughout the country.

"I believe that a hub, as part of our Creative Quarter initiative, would be a wonderful addition to our already strong presence as a centre of digital and creative excellence.

"We are enthusiastic about this as it confirms the value we place on this sector’s contribution to the local economy. This also demonstrates our ambitions not only as a forward thinking council but also for the future success of the local business economy in our district.”