Hundreds support Stray FM campaign launched by Lib Dems

The Lib Dems launched the campaign less than a fortnight ago after hearing of plans for the popular Harrogate radio station to be rebranded 'Greatest Hits Radio'.

They fear that the changes planned by new owners Bauer Media Group will mean more than just a change of name for Stray FM whose first full-time broadcast took place in July 1994.

Harrogate Council opposition leader Pat Marsh said: "We’ve seen hundreds of people sign the petition every day since we launched the petition, with it now having well over 2,000 signatures.

"The really successful campaign to save Nidd Gorge received 5,000 signatures over a year, so it is excellent to see we are quickly approaching half of that in under two weeks."

The German-based conglomerate says they will retain local news and information as well as local traffic and travel, but they admit some roles will be put into consultation and have given no guarantees about where content will be generated and how local it will be.

What happens next for Harrogate's Stray FM - the story explained

Harrogate and Knaresborough spokesperson Judith Rogerson said the future of Stray FM went beyond party politics.

She said: "The strength of local feeling has been very clear from the number of people who signed our petition to save Stray FM.

"Hundreds added their name within 24 hours. This isn’t a party-political issue; it’s about standing up for an important part of our community.

"If we don’t speak up on behalf of Stray FM, and other local journalists who find their positions under threat, we will live to regret losing a big asset that can’t easily be replaced."

Council moves to allays fears over Stray trees being chopped down in Harrogate

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