Inside Bauer’s new HQ at The Lantern building in London

Bauer has officially opened its new HQ in London, housing all of its radio and publishing businesses in one place.

Absolute Radio, Magic, Greatest Hits Radio, KISS, Hits, Scala and Jazz are now broadcasting from The Lantern, near Euston station.

With studios and offices over two floors, plus equipment rooms in the basement, it’s a large spacious open plan area compared with its previous home at One Golden Square.

At an official launch party last night, talent from across the stations welcomed clients, industry colleagues and stakeholders.

Absolute Radio’s Bush & Richie, Kerrang! Radio’s Sophie K, Harriet Scott and Neev from Magic Radio, KISS’ Ace, Jordan Lee and Ellie Prohan, Hits Radio’s Tom Green, and Planet Rock’s Wyatt. A live Jazz FM trio with Jack Pepper also welcomed attendees as they walked through the studios, before heading to the publishing experience where they could see themselves on the cover of Empire or Grazia.

Dave Berry hosted ‘5 Words 5 Grand’ live with KISS Breakfast’s Jordan & Perri, and Greatest Hits Radio’s Ken Bruce quizzed Hits Radio’s Fleur East and Angellica Bell with a special edition of the iconic PopMaster. Taking to the stage was also poet, mental health activist and bestselling author Hussain Manawer, who wrote an original piece marking new beginnings and the new Lantern building.

A tour of the new studios was also on offer, along with the chance for visitors to guest host programmes in the new facilities. Thanks to Nick Snaith for letting me co-host a show!

Upon entering the large reception area on floor two of the building, the studios are located to the right, followed by a wrap-around open plan office with dozens and dozens of desks for programming, sales and more.

In the studio area, you are first greeted by a large lobby including piano and seating, along with a large centre-table in the shape of the Bauer ‘play’ logo.

Directly accessible in this area are four smaller booths for recording news, voice-tracking shows, hosting programmes and more, as and when required.

To the left is a door to the first of three sound lobbies, with this one containing access to four studios – two large ones (for KISS and Hits) and two medium ones (KISS and Hits’ ‘studio 2’).

The large studios are certainly that. Space for five people, all with their own computers, microphones, headphones and controls. The main presenter has six monitors for playout systems and information, with further almost wrap-around screens displaying station branding.

Each studio has changeable logos, branding and colours which can be switched to any station at the touch of a screen. Any station can broadcast from any studio, but after a few weeks of settling in, each brand is staying in its own place day to day.

Back into the main lobby area and to the back left is a corridor which takes you to more doors with six further studios (three large and three medium) for use by Magic, Greatest Hits Radio, then Absolute Radio.

There are further studios for Planet Rock, Kerrang!, Heat, Scala and Jazz FM to use, along with office space for non-radio businesses on floor three.

The rest of the Bauer space includes a performance area/theatre, outside terrace, large board/meeting rooms, kitchens, mail room, private spaces, toilets and more.

Simon Myciunka, CEO, Bauer Media Audio UK said: “Our Lantern launch event was truly a celebration of our new UK home. Our audio, digital and publishing teams all now co-exist, in a building that enables us to produce media products that connect with audiences, wherever they are consuming. A transformational moment for Bauer in the UK, our new home is an investment in innovation which we were delighted to show our partners first-hand.”

Helen Morris, Co-CEO, Bauer Media Publishing UK added: “We believe our new home will allow us to enhance creativity, boost collaboration and nurture talent – so we can deliver an even better product for our audiences and partners.

“Thank you to all those advertisers, partners and stakeholders who were able to celebrate this huge Bauer milestone with us, joining us as we build on our position of the UK’s number one publisher, and audio industry leader.”