Hot on the heals of awarding a community radio licence for Chorley (Lancashire), Ofcom have announced a new Independent Local Radio licence will be advertised for the area in June 2006.
One licence, three towns: The new licence covers the City of Preston, along with Chorley and Leyland. Laser-backed CLR, previously known as Chorley Local Radio have changed their name to Chorley & Leyland radio ahead of it’s next RSL broadcast which starts tomorrow. With the news of Preston now being included in this one licence, maybe another name change is on the cards? (Central Lancashire Radio maybe?)
In 2002, The Radio Business (part-owners of 107 The Bee in neighbouring Blackburn and Abbey FM in Barrow) together with Regional Independent Media (owners of the Lancashire Evening Post at the time) ran an RSL covering Preston with the aim of
securing a full time licence for the area.
So already it would seem we already have two potential bidders for this licence. No doubt other groups such as CN-Group and UTV Radio will also submit applications.
Keep an eye on this site for the latest.