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MediaCity:UK adamant about BBC move to Salford

13/10/2006

Fears that plans to move the BBC to Salford Quays could be scuppered if the license fee is not raised have been met with defiance.

Mark Thompson, the BBC director general, has said that the proposal to move 1,800 jobs and several departments to Salford's MediaCity:UK could be endangered if the government does not approve an above-inflation license fee hike.

However, Felicity Goodey, the chief executive of MediaCity:UK, has said the scheme will go ahead, especially as Peel Holdings, which is behind the project, has spent so much money on the plans.

"We wouldn't be working as hard as we are and Peel certainly wouldn't be spending as much money as they are on architects, designers, surveyors and consultants if we didn't think that this is going to happen," she told the Salford Advertiser.

"Peel is investing £350 million into the project while the cost to the public sector is expected to be £50 million."

If the bid to move part of the BBC to Greater Manchester is successful, it could create about 15,500 jobs and bring £1.5 billion to the local economy.




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