The Wireless Group has revived ambitions of adding to its band of local radio stations by teaming up with Ashford FM to bid for a new radio licence to be advertised next year.
TWG, which already owns 13 local stations along with its national station talkSPORT, said that acquiring the Ashford licence was “part of a longer term Wireless Group strategy to build on its highly successful network of local radio stations across the UK”.
TWG’s business development director, Calum Macaulay, said: “Our involvement gives the station the financial and business acumen required to ensure that on winning the licence Ashford FM becomes a highly successful local radio station.”
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Ashford FM has been campaigning for a new licence for Ashford since early 2000, having run four Restricted Service Licences previously.
Ashford FM’s managing director is Mark Carter, a journalist and presenter for several stations, including Star 106.6, BBC local radio and local Ashford channels, Neptune Radio and Channel Travel Radio.
“Our broadcasting activity has already established enormous support, both for a local station and for Ashford FM, and The Wireless Group will bring their business and local radio expertise to the bid to help us win and run the licence,” he said.
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By Wale Azeez
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