MP calls for Channel 4 to make Black Country move

Government Chief Whip Gavin Williamson said the national debate about moving the state-owned broadcaster from London had focussed on Birmingham and Manchester with ‘little consideration’ for other towns and cities.

He said: “I think we need to be bold and ambitious. There is a tendency for people to focus on places like Birmingham or Manchester when we start talking about relocating Government departments, agencies, parts of the BBC or, in this case, Channel 4.

“Those cities have already seen huge investment and regeneration in recent years and it does seem to me that little consideration is given to places like Wolverhampton, Walsall, or Stoke.

"If we want to spread the benefits across the country then we need to be looking at the benefits of what Channel 4 could do for somewhere like Wolverhampton, Walsall or Stoke.”

The government ran an 18-month review into the broadcaster followed by a public consultation.

The channel, which is funded through advertising and is run commercially, has more than 800 staff but fewer than 30 based outside central London.

Its offices in Horseferry Road, close to the Home Office, are also valued at more than £100 million. Mr Williamson, the MP for South Staffordshire, added: “There is a feeling that this country is London-centric.

“Places like Wolverhampton and Walsall have a lot to offer and I think the local authorities should not be timid in being ambitious and coming forward and staking a claim.

“Most of Channel 4’s programmes are commissioned so there is no reason why it has to be based in London. A move would also help the creative industries in our regions.”

West Midlands Conservative Mayor Andy Street talked about bringing Channel 4 to the region during his successful election campaign.

He has made representation to the government’s consultation. Liverpool, Sheffield, Bristol, Brighton, Leeds and Bradford are also interested in attracting the broadcaster.

However, Channel 4 warned that moving its entire workforce out of London could lead to an exodus of staff and see it struggle against its rivals.

In its own submission the broadcaster warned that if employees left because of the relocation then they could join rivals and it would have to replace them from a ‘considerably smaller and less experienced pool of talent’ outside London.