BBC announces leading bidder for Manchester move

The BBC Board of Governors has announced that Salford MediaCity:UK is the leading bidder for the Corporation’s relocation to Greater Manchester.
The Board of Governors statement said: "At our meeting yesterday (Wednesday 14 June) we considered detailed plans for the BBC's proposed move to the North West of England based on two short-listed sites, one in Manchester and one in Salford.
"The Board of Governors has authorised the BBC North Project Team to treat Salford MediaCity:UK as the leading bidder in principle and conduct discussions with them on an exclusive basis with a view to them being confirmed as preferred bidder, provided certain outstanding issues can be resolved within a limited period of exclusivity.
"Should it not be possible for BBC management to resolve the outstanding issues to our satisfaction by the end of that period, exclusivity will end.
"Our final decision will be based on two key factors: whether the move represents value for money for licence fee payers, on which work is continuing; and the affordability of the project, with a final decision not able to be taken until the licence fee settlement is known."
BBC Director-General Mark Thompson said: "I'm pleased that we have taken another step forward in our proposals to create a major new centre for network broadcasting in the North of England.
"We remain very conscious that our proposal must still meet our stringent value for money criteria and be affordable.
"I believe this presents a unique opportunity for other broadcasters and the independent sector to join us in a project that could bring very significant benefits for audiences and for the economy of the North of England."
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) welcomed the BBC’s announcement.
Bryan Gray, Chairman of the NWDA said: "Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in achieving the ambitious vision of a world class Media Enterprise Zone in Greater Manchester. Whilst the decision is obviously disappointing for the unsuccessful team, the choice of one site allows the project to move forward swiftly.
"The development of a strengthened BBC presence in the Northwest is hugely important to the region's economy. The creation of a world class creative and digital business sector has the potential to create up to 10,000 jobs and add £170 million to the regional economy, with additional benefits throughout the North of England.
"The NWDA will now work closely with the winning team to ensure that the final proposal represents value for money for the BBC and to ensure complete transparency of costs which will help discussions on the Licence Fee settlement. The process to date has already resulted in a strong value for money proposition, with substantial private sector investment expected.
"We must now move swiftly to deliver this innovative project.”
(GB)