An Andover radio station is a step closer as OFCOM announced the number of applicants bidding for a licence dropped from 27 to 26 – with Andover Radio still in the running.
The licensing round invited applicants from across the south east and whereas there were initially two bids to serve Andover, the final list shows ‘Andover Radio’ is now the only applicant for the area.
The bid from ‘Andover Beat’ has disappeared from the licensing authority’s list. Their removal from the list remains a mystery as no-one from the group has been contactable to provide an explanation.
Andover Beat received significant publicity in the past few months as its former managing director Matthew North was recently jailed for two years on arson charges.
David Harber, managing director of the remaining applicant group Andover Radio said “This may be any number of reasons, from an incomplete application or the group may have simply withdrawn their application.”
“If successful, our focus will be on securing capital, building studios and recruiting participants. Andover is a really active place and we plan to reflect and promote all that’s good about the town.”
Andover Radio is promising a ‘hyper-local’ radio service which will be based in and cater for the needs and tastes of Andover people. The applicant group gained the support of a wise range of businesses, individuals and organisations including Kit Malthouse MP, Mayor Iris Andersen, Andover Leisure Centre and Andover Town Council.
