CHANNEL 4’s decision to open a creative hub in Glasgow has been described as “fantastic news” for Scotland by the First Minister.

The city was chosen alongside Bristol as a base for one of the two centres, while Leeds will be the location for the broadcaster’s new national headquarters. It will see 50 jobs brought to the new premises north of the Border with a focus on programme commissioning, but will bring in a broader talent base later.

The move was announced after Glasgow lost out on a bid to attract Channel 4’s new HQ this summer. Broadcaster and journalist Stuart Cosgrove chaired the board tasked with attracting Channel 4’s new complex to Glasgow, which was supported by the city council.

Nicola Sturgeon said: “Channel 4’s announcement that Glasgow will host one of its new creative hubs is fantastic news for Scotland’s screen sector and creative industries.

“The enthusiasm, excitement and support behind Glasgow’s successful bid for the hub is testament to the city’s thriving creative community, as well as Stuart Cosgrove and Glasgow City Council’s tireless work to attract this new investment from Channel 4 to Glasgow.

“As home to one of the most vibrant cultural scenes in Scotland, BBC Scotland, STV and more than 120 production companies – I am pleased Channel 4 has recognised Glasgow is the ideal location for one of their new hubs. I look forward to seeing plans for the new base in Glasgow develop.”

The move will be part of the biggest change to the structure of the channel in its 35-year history, even though it will keep its base on Horseferry Road in London.

Leeds also fended off competition from Greater Manchester and Birmingham to host the new base, while Cardiff was also in contention to host a creative hub.

Scottish Greens culture and media spokesman Ross Greer MSP added: “This is excellent news and well deserved given Glasgow’s world famous creative economy. Along with investment in the new BBC Scotland channel, it’s clear that Scotland has an opportunity to build a reputation for high quality TV and film production.”

Labour’s shadow Scotland Office minister Paul Sweeney said: “While it was disappointing that Glasgow was not ultimately successful in securing the new headquarters for Channel 4 ... I very much welcome this proposal for an additional presence in Glasgow for the channel, in the form of a new creative hub. It is my hope this base in Glasgow will allow the channel to be better embedded in the community, championing the industrial and political issues which affect working-class people.

As a state corporation Channel 4 is ultimately owned by the public, albeit in a different way to the BBC. Its ethos is to be radical and to challenge convention. It is a perfect fit for a city with Glasgow’s heritage.

I am therefore hopeful that a presence in Glasgow may help to ensure a greater breadth of perspectives will develop, and will mean more people hear their concerns and priorities aired on public service broadcasting.”

Channel 4 announced its intention to move staff out of London to three new bases in “the nations and regions” after the UK Government said the broadcaster will remain publicly owned, but faced being relocated.

Alex Mahon, chief executive of the broadcaster, said: “Glasgow has a well-established production sector across multiple genres, and locating a creative hub in the city will give Channel 4 the opportunity to tap into the rich cultural diversity of Scotland and also allow us to exploit the city’s strong connectivity with Belfast and the Northern Ireland production sector.”