Industry calls for ITV MediaCity move

ITV is reportedly still undecided about following the BBC to the new MediaCiyUK development at Salford, but some in the industry hopes that it will take the plunge.

According to the Financial Times, the new ITV management team of chief executive Adam Crozier and chairman Archie Norman are unsure about whether to relocate the firm's Manchester headquarters to the new facility in nearby Salford Quay.

ITV has long held a central Manchester base at Quay Street studios, which is home to Coronation Street, but the BBC's move of four major departments to MediaCity is intensifying speculation that ITV will follow suit.

Sources close to the firm say that an agreement was almost sealed during negotiations earlier in the year, but it is now far from assured that ITV will make the move.

Sinead Greenaway, chief executive of MediaCity-developer Peel Media Group, said: "Obviously, it would be great to have them, but it is their decision."

The BBC plans to transfer Radio 5Live, along with its Sport, Children's and Future Media and Technology departments from London to the 36-acre site in Salford. A further 750 BBC employees will move from an Oxford Road studio in Manchester to the newly established BBC North headquarters.

BBC North director Peter Salmon said that it would be a positive aspect if ITV opted to join the corporation in the new North West media hub.

"I think it would be really desirable for ITV to be there and to be honest I think it would be a lost opportunity for them if they didn't," he said.

Alex Connock, chief executive of independent production company Ten Alps and an enthusiastic supporter of MediaCity, expressed his belief that ITV should make the move.

"I would be pretty amazed if ITV didn't come, and if they did, that would be a pretty big moment," said Connock.

"It has to be more than just cheap office space and a hope that you get tech start-ups following the BBC. There is still a huge capital gap when those start-ups get to the £2m revenue point and that is where you need venture capital funds.

"I'm a bit worried by the lack of a VC structure, because it’s a big question how many long-term jobs you make just by incubating start-ups."