V2 Radio will give back to the West Sussex community

• You’re part of an exciting new radio station for West Sussex. What can we expect?

Our mission quite simply is to bring back proper local radio to the area. Including news, travel, what’s on and the music people love, our presenters are already well-known voices in West Sussex. We’ll also have some specialist music programmes, along with new and familiar competitions. V2 Radio will also have a very strong community ethos. We have promised to generate significant donations for our charitable causes here in West Sussex, with ten per cent of station earnings being distributed through our local community chest. I am very excited about our plans to give something back to the community. We will be getting involved in local events as soon as we launch, as well as supporting local arts and festivals and being visible through regular outside broadcasts.

• How did you get V2 started?

So many people asked us to set up a local radio station, but setting up from scratch is expensive. To help us get up and running quickly we set up a crowdfunder. We are so grateful to everyone who donated. Confirming that proper local radio is sorely missed in West Sussex, supporters helped us raise over £16,000! The money will be going towards essential equipment. Thanks to people’s generosity V2 Radio will look and sound even better when we flick the big red switch.

• What’s your background in radio?

I love radio because it enables you to talk to thousands of people but on a one-to-one basis. My first gig was on ‘Bedroom FM’ when I was ten years old – it’s surprising what you can do with a tape deck, a copy of The Sun and your dad’s record player! Radio Bognor gave me my first break, and then I was so proud and so lucky to be part of the Spirit FM family for 24 years, right from the day it launched. When it came to an end I was truly heartbroken, but it was a very sad day for listeners too. Proper local radio is a real friend, especially to those who live alone.

• Why is local media important?

During the pandemic Spirit FM recorded its highest ever listening figures, which certainly tells you something. V2 Radio will fill a huge gap and I can’t wait to get back. As well as promoting businesses that they can trust, local media is essential as a reliable source of news and information; people want to know what’s happening on their doorstep. V2 has had amazing encouragement and support from the Observer, which is another really valuable source of local news and information.

• How can people listen?

We are launching in January and you can hear V2 radio across all the main digital online platforms, as well as on DAB and through smart speakers and the V2 app. Timescales and further information will be added to the website, so do keep checking in for updates. You can find all the details at www.v2radio.co.uk

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