In response to Channel 4’s “4 All the UK” Nations and Regions plan, Stoke-on-Trent South MP Jack Brereton said:
“Following pressure from the Conservative Government and my Private Member’s Bill, I am pleased that Channel 4 have decided that they can indeed move at least part of their function from London. Our capital city is a great place, but having everyone based there isn’t keeping Channel 4 in touch with the nations and regions of the UK. They now clearly recognise Stoke-on-Trent as a potential location for a creative hub and I welcome that.
“The city council has put in a lot of work to make Stoke-on-Trent a serious bidder and a recognised centre of excellence for art and creativity. I hope we can now pitch successfully for Channel 4 to create a base here; they’d get a very warm welcome. They’ll find nowhere friendlier, and local people could significantly widen their worldview beyond the London village.”
Channel 4’s announcement on increasing its spending and output outside of London, which includes a video naming Stoke-on-Trent as one of the potential new homes looking to house a hub, can be found here: http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4-launches-4-all-the-uk