Ofcom have received two applications for the new FM radio licence serving Barrow-in-Furness in South Cumbria. They are Barrow Broadcasting Ltd (Abbey FM) and Barrow Local Radio Ltd.
Both applications can be viewed on the Ofcom website shortly. In the meantime the BLR application can be downloaded from their website at BarrowLocalRadio.com.
Abbey FM, which formed in 2001 by The Radio Business (shareholders in the new Blackburn licence, The Bee) have applied. Abbey FM is made up of The Radio Business (35%), TLRC (35%) and CN Group (30%). Abbey FM have ran two RSL trails in the area and propose an exciting new, full-service, lifestyle radio station with an entertaining blend of contemporary and classic hits, local news, views and features just for Barrow and the Furness peninsula.
Barrow Local Radio was set up in November 2002 and includes a mixture of local businesses, long-time radio professionals and hospital radio members.
BLR have run three RSL trails in the area and propose a station dedicated to Barrow and the Furness area, playing a wide variety of contemporary and classic popular music together with comprehensive local news, information and speech relevant to listeners in Furness.
Ofcom welcomes the views of the public about the local needs of listeners in this area and the type of service required. Opinions on these issues can either be emailed to commercialradio@ofcom.org.uk or posted to Neil Stock, Head of Radio Planning & Licensing, Ofcom, Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA. Please mark the envelope ?Barrow?.