Harrogate MP's new fears over Stray FM as rebrand date approaches

Andrew Jones MP said the imminent shake-up at the town's once-independent radio station was in danger of leaving the new 'Greatest Hits Radio' a "faceless, bland" version of itself.

Mr Jones said: “It is a matter of huge regret that Stray FM is going to be history by next week. I have been a fan of our local radio station for nearly a quarter of a century since I moved to Harrogate.

“I know that some of our area’s best-known business and community names have lobbied for these changes not to happen and I have been proud to support those pleas.

“However, Bauer Media Group are pressing ahead and Stray FM will become Greatest Hits Radio."

But Bauer says Stray FM, along with Minster FM and Yorkshire Coast Radio, will lead new local initiatives within the region, as they relaunch as Greatest Hits Radio in September with the news Simon Mayo is to join the station line-up.

In particular, Stray FM and the other rebranded stations are to offer free advertising airtime to local charities, hospices and other not-for-profit community organisations to support them in communicating messages and campaigns as they rebuild their fundraising base post-lockdown.

In addition, they will be launching the ‘Getting North Yorkshire Back to Work’ campaign that will promote local job opportunities both on-air and online on the rebranded Stray FM.

Local employers will be encouraged to submit vacancies for inclusion, allowing them to reach a wide audience of local job-seekers free of charge. Job vacancy bulletins will be broadcast four times a day to local audiences and will be promoted on the relevant Greatest Hits Radio website.

But Andrew Jones MP said he aimed to hold Bauer to its word on the local and community-based mature of Stray FM as it becomes Greatest Hits Radio.

Mr Jones said: “I hope our fears of this being a faceless, bland, one-size-fits-all radio station are unfounded but I do not think the omens are good.

"However we should hold Bauer to some of the promises they have made.

“Those include free advertising for local charities, supporting local campaigns, enhanced packages for business advertising and local news and travel updates.

"I have contacted Dee Ford, managing director at Bauer Media, to request an early discussion with her when the rebrand is completed to review these aspects of their performance.

“I hope that my concerns, and those of many others in our area, are baseless but it is important that we don’t simply rollover and allow the powerful local elements that have made Stray FM so popular disappear.”

The Harrogate and Knaresborough MP's comments follow reports of staff changes at Stray FM in recent days after owners Bauer Media Group introduced consultations earlier in the summer over the future of jobs at the station.

Popular breakfast show presenter Nick Hancock tweeted this week: "@willsmithyorks and I are doing our last show on Stray FM this Friday. We’re both leaving with nothing but good memories. It has been such a privilege to be a little part of your life for such a long time."

Meanwhile, an email enquiry made by the Harrogate Advertiser to Stray FM's managing director Sarah Barry came back with the message "Thank you for your enquiry. Sarah Barry is no longer with Stray FM."

Major announcement on Stray FM's future in Harrogate

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