Application is lodged for full-time radio station

Larne Community Media Limited, a company formed by Chaine Music to submit and hopefully hold the licence, has confirmed that it had submitted an application for a Community Radio station for the Borough.

Unlike Chaine FM, the temporary Christmas station, it is intended that the station will broadcast to the entire borough and not just Larne town. The group will learn in September if their application for a five-year licence has been successful. Subject to funding being in place the group would hope to launch the full-time Chaine FM as soon as possible, likely in late 2013 or early 2014.

The station will feature a more diverse range of programming than the temporary station and carry less advertising. In addition there will be an emphasis on local talent in the music of the station.

Gary Andrews, speaking on behalf of Larne Community Media, said; “We feel we have submitted a strong application with lots to offer the local community. This not-for-profit radio station will be owned by the people of the town and each and every part of our society will be welcome to get involved.

“We would like to thank the people of the borough for their support to date, in particular the community groups, business leaders and public bodies who provided messages of support for our application. We were very grateful for the support of all local political parties and independents who have got behind our application.

“Moving forward, we feel we have a solid project that we can make financially viable. All we need now is the fullest support of the community to help us make it work. This means community groups getting involved and using the air-waves to further their work and private individuals by volunteering a few hours to help run the station.”

In the meantime, it is planned that Chaine FM will return with the regular December Christmas broadcast. Subject to license approval, the station will be on-air November 30 to Christmas Eve.

Anybody wishing to find out more about Chaine FM should visit the station’s Facebook page, website chainefm.com, email [email protected] or call 07740 433590.