Ofcom has found Stafford community station Vibe 1 in breach after it failed to provide requested recordings and programme information.
The regulator requested recordings and a programme schedule covering 15 to 21 June 2026 after receiving complaints that Vibe 1 had stopped broadcasting for an extended period and was not meeting its Key Commitments.
Vibe 1 told Ofcom it lost access to its Stafford Octagon studios on 18 June following bailiff action connected to a dispute with landlord New Beacon Group Ltd. Power and internet services were also disconnected.
The station said an unauthorised former presenter interfered with its playout system the following day. It subsequently regained access, but the requested recordings could not be recovered because the logger had been switched off.
Ofcom found Stafford Radio Broadcasting Limited, which holds the Vibe 1 licence, in breach of conditions covering the retention and production of recordings and the provision of information.
The station said it has installed a new broadcast logger, introduced off site and cloud storage, restricted access to its systems and assigned responsibility for regulatory correspondence to a named individual.
Ofcom said it will monitor Vibe 1 to ensure it complies with its Key Commitments and requirements to retain recordings and provide information.
Vibe 1 is now back on air following several troubling months for the organisation.
During the disruption, programme controller and breakfast presenter Stuart Haycock was arrested and charged with rape of a woman. The charge relates to an alleged offence in Stafford between 24 November 2015 and 1 September 2017.
Appearing in court, Haycock pleaded not guilty to intentional penetration without consent and his lawyer said the defendant had “no sexual contact whatsoever” with his accuser.
Several presenters subsequently resigned, although statements published by Darren Westwood and Paul Dean did not mention the charge. Their statements instead referred to concerns about communication, transparency and engagement from station management. He was released on bail until a trial on 30th May 2028.
