The BBC says that 46% of its BBC Breakfast team have confirmed their intention to relocate to Salford Quays in Spring 2012. 25% of Marketing & Audiences and 33% of staff from BBC Connect & Create have also said yes to the move.

This brings the combined total confirmed as moving to Salford Quays – including staff outside scope who have volunteered to move since 2009 – to 55%. In comparison, 35% is considered a “strong result” for a move of similar scale and ambition in the UK.

Sian Williams and Chris Hollins have decided not to make the move. However the corporation is staying upbeat: “It is great news that lots of the team will be coming to Salford with the programme next year,” said Alison Ford, Editor, Breakfast. “We always knew there would be those who wouldn’;t be able to make the move for domestic reasons, but we’;ll have a really strong line-up of producers and presenters working in MediaCityUK. We’;re enjoying huge success at the moment and I’;m confident that’;s going to continue for years to come.”

Broadcasting three hours of live television a day, Breakfast will be the first BBC television network news programme produced and broadcast from outside London. “The move of Breakfast is an important step in marking the BBC’;s commitment to expand its presence beyond London,” said Helen Boaden, Director, BBC News. “I am delighted so many staff have decided to make the journey. I am sure it will go from strength to strength.”

BBC Breakfast and BBC Marketing & Audiences are joining BBC Children’;s, BBC Learning, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sport, which will start their migrations from London in May 2011. In total there will be 2,300 BBC posts based in Salford Quays with approximately 1,500 posts relocating from either London or Manchester. “The BBC’;s move to Salford Quays presents a unique and exciting employment opportunity for the BBC and the North of England,” added Peter Salmon, Director, BBC North. “Alongside the BBC staff moving to our new base at MediaCityUK, we will be employing hundreds of people new to the organisation.”