New Sandgrounder FM radio station to launch in Southport

Station will be based in Wayfarers Arcade and will broadcast during November and December

The team behind Sandgrounder Radio in Southport. Photo by Graham Moreton of Tarleton Photography

A new radio station is coming to Southport.

From the end of November, for four weeks, Sandgrounder FM will be broadcast across Southport and surrounding areas.

The station is the brainchild of Neil Newton, Andrew Hilbert and Neil Hepworth, and is designed to promote the events in and around the town in the run-up to Christmas.

So what better location for the studio than nestled in Wayfarers’ Arcade, at the heart of Lord Street?

Andrew Hilbert said: “This is a celebration of Southport!

“Unfortunately, there hasn’t been an FM radio stat-ion in the town for some years.

“We want to use this opportunity to showcase everything Southport has to offer, and as a platform for local businesses to get the word out.

“We are encouraged by the interest and support of Southport residents and local businesses.

“And it’s just superb that we’ve been granted the licence to broadcast right across events such as the lights switch-on and Christmas markets.

“We’ll be working with the support of the Southport BID, as we both have the same goal: to encourage more visit-ors towards the town.”

The team behind Sandgrounder Radio in Southport. Photo by Graham Moreton of Tarleton Photography

Neil Newton, who is no stranger to radio, says there is no better place to spend the winter months than Southport: “Christmas in Southport is just magical.

“Wayfarers’ Arcade is known for being particularly beautiful at this time of year and boasting a tremendous grotto.

“This will be brilliant!”

Well-known TV and radio presenter Debi Jones has been recruited to join in the fun.

Debi has 25 years’ televis-ion and radio experience under her belt.

She has also sung professionally for a number of years, both in this country and overseas.

Radio presenter Brent Williams will also be getting involved, as will Southport networking expert Sandra Gee, who said she was thrilled to be a part of the project.

She said: “How fantastic it will be to celebrate our town and what we do at the most wonderful time of the year.”

The station will air a variety of music, news and sport, as well as interviews with local business owners and residents.

Yvonne Burns, centre manager at Wayfarers’ Arcade, said: “We are 100% behind what Sandgrounder Radio are about and it’s a delight to be a part of it. Myself and the rest of the traders are very much looking forward to the first broadcast!”

Neil Newton will be waking up Sandgrounders with his breakfast show, and local musicians can submit their recordings to be played on air.

• STATION owners are welcoming any ideas for shows and interviews, so if anyone has any suggestions or would like to get involved in some way, please contact Sandgrounder Radio on www.sandgrounderradio.co.uk, tweet @radiosouthport or go to www.facebook.com/sandgrounderradio

Story and Photo source: Southport Visiter