Station relaunch leads to queue for airwaves (From Worcester News)

Station relaunch leads to queue for airwaves

4:20pm Monday 4th February 2013 in News By Tarik Al Rasheed

A HIGH profile relaunch and a move to a new studio has seen a queue of people lining up to get behind the decks at a local radio station.

Mark Tibbutt founded Longside Radio from a garage studio at his home in Martley, near Worcester, in December 2010 and was thrilled when its popularity grew to the extent that it was attracting more than 2,000 listeners from 78 different countries all over the world.

With an established audience and more than a dozen local DJs of all ages on board, Mr Tibbutt was keen to take the radio station to the next level.

Now, after the recent move to a dedicated studio at the Old Weighbridge, right in the centre of the village, he is predicting exciting times ahead.

The 44-year-old said he was thrilled with the numbers that turned up to celebrate the relaunch and that he had a line of new recruits eager to join the station.

“I was really surprised by just how many people came to see the new studio,” he said. “I am currently processing six new applicants (to be DJs) and several more are in the pipeline. It is all very exciting.”

Martley Parish Council is allowing Longside to use the Old Weighbridge, opposite the Crown pub, free of charge and local firms including Bradfords Underwood builders merchants helped kit it out.

For Mr Tibbutt the re-launch of Longside was as much about getting local people involved as boosting listener numbers, so he is thrilled with the result.

“It’s a real community venture, we are not a profit-making organisation and I like to think that it is something positive for Worcestershire.” If you fancy trying your hand as a DJ with Longside Radio, call 01886 878190 or e-mail studio@longsideradio.co.uk