Radio Authority Awards Small-Scale FM Licences

The Radio Authority has awarded a number small-scale FM local licences in the Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire areas. After considering four proposals for the Independent Local Radio (ILR) licence in Gloucestershire, the following two groups have been chosen:

• Cheltenham Radio Ltd. (Graham Gilbert, 01242 699 555): local news, information and the best-selling songs, 24 hours a day, from the only radio station exclusively for North Gloucestershire, serving the boroughs of Cheltenham and Tewkesbury.
• Easy FM (5 Valleys Radio Ltd.) (Mike Ganley, 01453 759 576): to serve the Mid-Gloucestershire community – Stroud, Dursley and surrounding towns and villages – with a locally based and locally originated full service radio station.

The award of the FM licence to Cheltenham Radio is conditional upon the group surrendering its current AM licence in order that the station can be transferred to an FM licence and broadcast.

For the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire areas the Authority considered the proposals of eight applicants and has awarded the FM ILR licences to the following three groups:

• Radio Mansfield (Alex McKie, 01623 646 666): a lively music-led station, with a highly-focused local news, current affairs and information service for the people of Mansfield, the Ashfields and neighbouring communities.
• Peak 197 FM (Wayne Chadwick, 01433 631 352): a modern, vibrant, full service local radio station, providing 24-hour entertainment and information for the people of Chesterfield and district.
• Trax FM Ltd. (Andrew Carter, 01909 500 611): news and information for Bassetlaw, with current hits and classic oldies.

All of the above licences will come into effect as soon as the applicants are ready to begin broadcasting.

Radio Authority: 0171 405 7058