NEWS RELEASE
13 January 2009
University of Salford signs MediaCityUK deal
The University of Salford has signed an agreement for lease with developer
Peel Media for a new innovative higher education centre at the heart of the
MediaCityUK development in Salford Quays.
The University is the second anchor tenant at MediaCityUK. In 2011, when
the first phase of development is complete, it will enjoy a prime waterside
location next to the BBC, which has already announced that it is moving five
departments (currently based in London) to the site. The new University hub
will comprise 100,000 sq ft over four floors and will be linked to the
University’s four faculties on the main campus at Peel Park.
With state-of-the-art facilities, it will focus on employer-led and postgraduate
learning and research collaboration, and will act as a gateway to the
University’s full range of services for its industry and community partners.
The University is already a higher education partner with the BBC, which will
relocate BBC Sport, Children’s (including CBeebies), Future Media and
Technology, Radio 5 Live, Learning, and all local and network broadcasting
currently based in Manchester city centre, to MediaCityUK.
The University’s centre at MediaCityUK will include a broadcast zone, digital
media zone, virtual laboratory, digital performance space and creative spaces
for use in academic teaching, project-based learning and user-centred design
and innovation.
Digital media specialist John Holland, a former Head of Interactive TV and
Digital Text Services at the BBC, has been appointed by the University to lead
its new initiatives relating to MediaCityUK.
The University already hosts a rich programme of industry events including
the prestigious annual media conference ‘TV from the Nations and Regions’
(19 – 20 January 2009). These will be showcased at MediaCityUK alongside
events for schools, families and the wider community.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Harloe said: “There is a New Media
revolution happening across the globe, and the University is pioneering a
nationally significant development here in Salford.
“Our vision is to create, at the heart of MediaCityUK, ground-breaking ways of
engagement for the benefit of our students, our staff and our community and
industry partners. We are confident this will become a catalyst for future
change within the higher education sector.
“Our MediaCityUK hub will be dedicated to providing world-class learning and
research for the 21st century – offering flexible and responsive programmes
and producing highly practical industry-relevant research and innovation.
“The centre will make a significant contribution to the development of
MediaCityUK and to Salford’s international reputation as a university city
which has responsive, cutting-edge educational provision and skills
development.”
Andrew Simpson, Managing Director of Peel Holdings and Acting MD of Peel
Media, said: “MediaCityUK is shaping an environment for creative talent to
network and prosper, and fusing industry excellence, such as the BBC, with
academic talent from Salford University.
BBC Director General Mark Thompson said: “I am delighted Salford University
have announced they are joining us at MediaCityUK with their new centre
alongside the BBC.
"We are committed to forging a new generation of partnerships in the north
and across the country's creative industries. We look forward to working
closely with the University to explore ways to boost opportunities and skills
and develop new relationships that will benefit the whole industry.
"The University’s presence alongside key parts of the BBC means
MediaCityUK will be one of the places where the future of the media industry
will be shaped.”
www.salford.ac.uk
ENDS
For further media information contact Andrew Spinoza at Spinoza
Kennedy Vesey PR on 0161 838 7770 or email
[email address]
Notes to Editors
About the University of Salford
The University of Salford has 20,000 students and 2,500 staff. Its main campus is set in 60
acres of parkland just one and a half miles from the city of Manchester. Salford has a strong
reputation as an enterprising university in the top third for Research.
The University has one of the largest media schools in the UK. It is the lead university in
Northern Edge, a consortium of 15 Northern universities formed to work closely with the
creative and cultural industries.
University of Salford productions have received multiple nominations from the Royal
Television Society since 2001, respectively winning Best Regional Current Affairs Programme
in 2005 and Best Regional Programme in 2006. Channel M, Manchester’s local television
station, was originally founded as a student channel partnership between the University and
Guardian Media Group.
The University is leading a £3m Higher Education Funding Council for England-funded project
to deliver employer-led education and training in the workplace.
The University is also leading the development of a research and innovation vision for
MediaCity UK
About MediaCityUK
Peel Media’s vision is to make MediaCityUK the largest purpose-built media community in the
UK and Europe. Located on a 200-acre site at Salford Quays on Manchester’s waterfront,
MediaCityUK will enable creative and digital businesses to thrive in a unique, collaborative
environment. The project is being developed and managed by Peel Media, a division of the
Peel Group, working with a range of partners including Central Salford Urban Regeneration
Company, the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Salford City Council and Northwest
Vision and Media.
A shared environment for the sector to grow and prosper, MediaCityUK will be a place for
people to work, live and play. In addition to state-of-the-art TV studios and an unparalleled
communications structure, the site will include a piazza twice the size of Trafalgar Square.
The first phase is due for completion in 2011, when the BBC will relocate five London-based
departments to The Quays, including Sport and Radio 5 Live.
For more information visit www.mediacityuk.co.uk.
