‘We need the support of our loyal listeners’: Park Radio calls for help with move to new location

A community radio station is calling for help to fund a move to a new location – or face going off the air – after being told it needs to leave its current home.

Park Radio, based at Diss Youth and Community Centre in Shelfanger Road, has been tasked with finding new premises as the town council, which owns the building, is trying to decide what to do with the site.

The top floor of the centre has been closed since December, when a survey discovered the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the roof structure of the building.

Since then, discussions have been ongoing about possible solutions, including spending £400,000 on repairing the roof, demolishing the building and constructing a more fit-for-purpose facility, or selling the land and building a new facility elsewhere.

James Grint, the station’s director, said: “Although the move from our current location to a new building in central Diss has the potential to bring exciting opportunities and improvements to Park Radio, the forced nature and timing of the move means that sufficient funds are not available.

“If the necessary funds cannot be raised, the management team of Park Radio will be forced to make the very sad and difficult decision to cease broadcasting.

“So we need the support of our loyal listeners and the Waveney Valley community.”

The station, which covers the likes of Diss, Eye and Harleston, plans to host a series of fundraising events and has launched a GoFundMe page, with a target of £5,000 to help with the relocation.

“Having served and supported the local community since 2017, particularly through the difficult times of the pandemic, Park Radio has become a lifeline of support and friendship for people across the Waveney Valley,” added Mr Grint.

“So we feel confident the community will step up in our hour of need.”

To donate to the campaign, go online to gofundme.com/parkradio.