ITV confirms move to Media City

ITV has signed an agreement with Peel Media to move the company's Manchester base to Media City UK in 2012.

Adam Crozier, chief executive of ITV, said: "It's terrific news for ITV and all of our people based in Manchester that we have agreed this deal with Peel Media. This continues our long and successful relationship with the region which has played such a key part in ITV's heritage as a programme maker.

ITV will occupy "several floors" within the Orange building, designed by Sheppard Robson, taking space above Salford University.

A new set for Coronation Street will be built by ITV on a 7.7 acre site at Trafford Wharf, adjacent to the Imperial War Museum North and accessed by a new bridge across the waterway to the main Media City UK complex. Coronation Street's move is subject to planning consent from Trafford Council. Manchester-based firms Jenkins Design and HOW Planning advised ITV on the full planning application which has already been submitted to Trafford Council.

John Whittaker, chairman, the Peel Group, said: "ITV is an outstanding international brand producing a fantastic range of popular programmes and I am delighted it has taken a strategic decision to move to MediaCityUK. This is a landmark deal for both MediaCityUK and The Peel Group, and is critical in helping to deliver the long-term vision that we share with all our partners."

In addition to the Coronation Street complex, ITV Studios also has the opportunity to take advantage of Media City UK's dedicated production facilities, one of the largest high definition studio complexes in Europe.

ITV's regional news team will broadcast from a dedicated studio within the Orange building.

ITV will now work on a plan to dispose of its Quay Street base. It is anticipated the site will be vacated by early 2013.

WHR Property Consultants and Cushman & Wakefield are joint letting agents on Media City UK.