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‘Bristol can provide a home of opportunity for Channel 4’
Bristol made it onto the shortlist to become the new home for Channel 4 with barely a whisper in the national press – but now it’s time for the city to make some noise.
Because there is a story to be told that reaches far beyond the familiar narrative of why it is a great place to live and goes to the heart of communities, who are making things happen and challenging the status quo, despite challenges and inequalities.
It is this ambition to disrupt and drive to create positive change that Bristol wants to portray to broadcasting bosses, who will visit the city in just a few weeks time.
is needed now More than ever
People from across the city’s media, arts, tourism, business and political sectors gathered in City Hall on Friday to set in motion the plan for the next steps in the bid to Channel 4 – with a collective desire to put Bristol’s own unique stamp on its offering.
Mayor Marvin Rees said that Wednesday’s announcement gave people in the city a lift – but now the hard work begins.
“Being shortlisted is a great achievement and affirmation of our belief that our city can provide a home of opportunity for Channel 4. Our offer is to join with us on a journey where we can challenge, debate, explore and create, utilising Bristol’s creative tensions and innovative spirit.
“We are a city that is proud of our diversity, our raw new talent, our unorthodox approaches and our embracing alternative viewpoints – things that we see reflected in Channel 4.
“Our job now is to come together as a city in a spirit of inclusive collaboration to continue our conversations and help Channel 4 better understand us whilst we get to know them better too. We don’t want to just talk at them but we want to debate with them and see what they need. We look forward to welcoming Channel 4 in the coming weeks show them our talent, creativity and the possibilities of our city.”
There is consensus that the bid must not just reflect, but embody the many voices of Bristol.
Kalpna Woolf
Kalpna Woolf, the founder of 91 Ways To Build a Global City, said: “I think Channel 4 will understand the creative media sector here, but I think it’s the opportunities and possibilities that people will be really interested in and that’s people on the ground doing things.
“It’s what I call the real Bristol.”
Hibaq Jama, Labour councillor for Lawrence Hill, said “we reflect Channel 4’s aspiration for change” and Paul Hassan, a director of Ujima Radio, described Bristol as an open door, international city with ambition.
The news that Bristol reached the shortlist was celebrated across the city.
https://twitter.com/ArnolfiniArts/status/1001821374736936961
One thing’s for sure, Bristol will be pulling out all the stops to attract the broadcasting giant and all the opportunities available as it hopes to make Channel 4 part of the ongoing city story.
The broadcaster is expected to make a final decision in October.
Read more: Bristol on the shortlist to be the new home for Channel 4
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