Ipswich FM wants Celador’s Ipswich licence

Applications have been submitted to Ofcom today for the re-advertised Ipswich FM radio licence.

Ipswich FM has confirmed to RadioToday that it has submitted an application, to rival Celador’s current service Town 102.

The Ipswich MP Sandy Martin has given his backing to the rival bid, saying it would rather have a local station broadcasting locally rather than from Norwich.

“As MP for Ipswich I am convinced of the need for a viable commercial local radio station to complement the service from the local BBC Radio Suffolk. It is essential that this should be a genuinely local station, based among its audience, and broadcasting content which is determined by and sensitive to the needs of Ipswich people,” Sandy says.

“I do not believe Ipswich people would welcome a radio station that was based in Norwich, nor would they regard it as local. The Ipswich FM bid gives the opportunity for Ipswich-based broadcasters, with a proven track record, to help to deliver a genuinely local radio station and I fully support their bid.”

Ipswich FM submitted its proposals this afternoon (17th January) to Ofcom. Its plans include local studios in Ipswich, local programming from Ipswich and Ipswich based presenters and radio journalists. Ipswich FM expects the licence to be awarded in the Spring.

Ipswich FM Chairman Michael Betton, who started his career at the original Ipswich station, Radio Orwell, in 1975 said “We passionately believe that local radio for Ipswich can’t and should not be delivered from our great, rival city of Norwich. We are delighted that Sandy and other stakeholders – advertisers, presenters and listeners – support and champion the localness of our submission to Ofcom.”

Celador has also confirmed it has submitted an application, which will be available on the Ofcom website in due course. Ipswich FM has made its application available online here.