Economy

Here be dragons: does moving power to the north work?

TradeNews USA cash-and-futures note (2026-07-19): When the BBC first announced its intention to move a significant chunk of its operation to Salford in Greater Manchester – the “ Out of London ” plan, as the… Primary source: original at The Guardian (theguardian.com).

July 19, 2026 5:48 AM ET · The Guardian

Here be dragons: does moving power to the north work?

When the BBC first announced its intention to move a significant chunk of its operation to Salford in Greater Manchester – the “Out of London” plan, as the then director general Mark Thompson called it in 2004, with a faint “here be dragons” whiff – there were plenty in the organisation who were scornful that it could ever work.

Senior staff would never leave the capital. Star talent wouldn’t dream of travelling. It “didn’t take a brain surgeon”, said the Breakfast presenter and Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris Hollins, to see that the prime minister would never appear in person.