Channel 4 will be told to relocate from its Westminster HQ to the regions, or face legislation compelling it to move, according to a report on the Huffington Post.
Birmingham is the strong favourite to host the public service broadcaster which is behind shows including "Gogglebox" and "The Great British Bake Off".
Midlands MP and Culture Secretary Karen Bradley is reported to have given Channel 4 a new year deadline to make a commitment. The move turns up the heat on the terrestrial media business which today occupies 161K SF at Horseferry Road, SW1.
Channel 4 say the move could damage their relationship with independent programme makers. But the relocation was promised in the Conservative government’s June 2017 election manifesto.
The move could provide the inspiration for an innovative mixed-use redevelopment in central Birmingham. Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership has suggested sites at Birmingham's Curzon Street, due to host a new HS2 station in 2026.
The Channel 4 move would act as a catalyst for the regeneration of Digbeth, already a growing creative industries area. The Solihull HS2 station site has also been suggested.
The current Westminster HQ was designed by renowned architect Richard Rogers to include both offices and 100 apartments. It opened in 1994, well ahead of the mixed development trend.
