Ofcom today announces the award of a further eight community radio licences, bringing the total number of licences awarded to 107 since November 2004.
This completes the first round of community radio licensing; a second round will commence later this year. To date, 184 letters of intent have been received from groups expressing an interest in applying during the next round.
Community radio is a new sector of radio being introduced in the UK. It is a third tier of radio which complements the mix of services already provided by the BBC and commercial radio sectors. The characteristics of community radio are distinct from commercial radio in that the services cover a small geographical area and are provided on a not-for-profit basis focusing on the delivery of specific social benefits to enrich a particular geographical community or a community of interest.
Peter Davies, Ofcom?s Director of Radio and Multimedia said: ?Community radio promises to bring vibrant and distinctive not-for-profit radio services to communities all around the UK.? He added: ?The large number of licences awarded in this first round reflects the high level of interest in this new sector?.
The licences last to be awarded are:
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7 Waves Community Radio (Leasowe, Wirral)
Contact: Pauline Murphy, Leasowe Community Centre, Twickenham Drive, Leasowe, Wirral CH46 1PF.
Tel: 0151 691 1595 Email: pauline.murphy@merseymail.com
Website: www.7waves.co.uk
7 Waves will be run by the community for the community, and seek to serve all residents, with particular attention paid to the elderly and disadvantaged.
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Talkin? Toxteth TTFM (Toxteth, Liverpool)
Contact: Tony Mitchell, Talkin? Toxteth, 322- 324 Upper Parliament Street, Liverpool L8 7QL.
Tel: 0151 708 0830 Email: t.mitchell@ttfm1058.com
Talkin? Toxteth TTFM will be operated by and for the people of the south central cluster of Liverpool and surrounding areas. As a multi-cultural community station it will be in a unique position to provide a service designed to reflect and celebrate community arts, culture and diversity.
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Halton FM (Runcorn)
Contact: Nico Versluys, Halton Access to Media, Halton Village Youth Club, King Aurthur’s Walk, Castlefield, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 2NE.
Tel: 01928 835290 Email: nico@haltonfm.net
Website: www.haltonfm879.com
The target community of Halton FM is those living in, working in, or undergoing training or education in the borough of Halton.
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Cheshire FM (Northwich)
Contact: David Duffy, Oakdene, 5 St Anns Road, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 9HJ
Tel: 01606 737844 Email: david.duffy@cheshirefm.com
Website: www.cheshirefm.com
Cheshire FM will serve the rural area of villages and hamlets located between the small towns of Northwich in the north and Middlewich in the south. The station will involve all sections of the community, be a medium for community expression and a campaigner for community development.
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Diversity FM (Lancaster)
Contact: Phil McGrath, Lancaster and District YMCA, Fleet Square, Lancaster LA1 1HA
Tel: 01524 32737 Email: ymcalancaster@btconnect.com
Diversity FM will be the station for those who live, work or study in Lancaster. It is a partnership between the YMCA and local educational establishments.
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Chelmsford Calling
Contact: James Salmon, 25 Heston Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 6JF
Tel: 01245 355274 Email: jim.salmon@blueyonder.co.uk
Chelmsford Calling will be aimed at the over 60s. It aims to entertain and inform listeners, as well as involving them by recognising the talents and experiences of the target community and encouraging their participation.
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Saint FM (Burnham-on-Crouch)
Contact: John Cassels, St Peter?s High School, Southminster Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex CM0 8QB. Tel: 01621 773010
Email: saintfm@btworld.com
Website: www.saintfm.org.uk
Saint FM is aiming to serve the residents of Burnham-on-Crouch and surrounding rural areas in the Maldon district in Essex.
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BRFM Bridge Radio (Sheerness, Isle of Sheppey)
Contact: Danny Lawrence, 8 Rushenden Road, Queenborough, Isle of Sheppey, Kent ME11 5HB.
Tel: 01795 876045 Email: office@brfm.net
Website: www.BRFM.net
BRFM Bridge Radio will provide a community service to the population of the Isle of Sheppey, Kent.
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Licences are awarded for a five-year period.
A statement setting out the main determining factors for the award of the eight community radio licences set out above will be available shortly on the Ofcom website.