Central Radio moves to Southport

Central Radio has been given Ofcom approval to move to Southport to join its new sister station, Dune 107.9.

Former owner UTV Radio, in applying for permission, said the move will not substantially alter the character of the service, but will secure the future of the station.

Niocom, which bought Central, will share programme management, production, administrative, engineering and management resources at Dune 107.9 and operate the station from 17 miles outside of Preston. Ofcom has agreed the co-location, saying the two areas have cultural linkages.

What isn't known is if UTV Radio applied for official permission Central Radio with either Wish FM (23 miles away) or Radio Wave (19 miles away) to make similar cost-savings before deciding to close or sell the station.

In approving the Format change, Ofcom said: "While many resources will now be shared under the proposed co-location agreement, the ‘local hours’ programming on Central FM will remain editorially focused on the Preston, Leyland and Chorley areas."