West Sussex Digital keeps it local with DAB application plans

A new local radio group has been created in West Sussex to apply for the small-scale DAB digital radio multiplex in the area.

West Sussex Digital is a group of individuals, businesses and charities from the area that have come together to apply for the upcoming licence.

The application consists of:

Chichester Hospital Radio – Chichester Hospital Radio has provided bedside entertainment to St. Richards for over 50 years and was recently recognised with a Queen’s Award for voluntary service.

Radio Worthing – Radio Worthing was established in 2011, with the purpose of restoring the town’s unique voice to the airwaves. This Community Interest Company is led by local broadcasters and other Worthing visionaries.

Ash Elford – Ash lives in Chichester and runs DAB multiplex operator UK DAB Networks. Ash already runs DAB digital radio multiplexes in nearby Portsmouth, Winchester and Basingstoke.

Simon Hardwick – Worthing resident Simon has worked in radio for 25 years spanning national stations like Atlantic 252 to Sussex-based local radio including Mercury FM, Splash FM and Juice 107.2. Simon presently manages local digital radio services Passion Radio and 80s Rhythm.

Steve Freegard – Steve lives in Tangmere and works as an IT Security professional. He’s been a volunteer at Chichester Hospital Radio for over 20 years and started his commercial radio experience with Spirit FM and was one of the main campaigners to keep it from being closed. Since then he has helped to set-up Spirit FM replacement, V2 Radio, and can be heard on the station at weekends.

Duncan Barkes – Chichester resident Duncan is a radio professional and former regional managing director and programme controller for the The Local Radio Company which oversaw the running of Chichester-based Spirit FM and many other local radio stations. He’s also presented local, regional, national and global radio shows on BBC and commercial radio stations as well as being a former West Sussex-wide newspaper columnist.

A spokesperson for West Sussex Digital said: “We are confident we have the right team in place to win this licence which will ultimately create more choice for local radio listeners.

“Our team is local, experienced and passionate with a clear aim to provide a cost-effective radio platform that will give charities, community interest companies and arts organisations access to the local DAB digital airwaves.”

West Sussex Digital is keen to hear from any individuals or groups interested in working with them via their website at westsussex.digital.