#SaveSpiritFM: successful protest held in Chichester

A protest to save Spirit FM went ahead successfully and with a 'terrific' turn out, campaigners have said.
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Guests at the protest on Saturday (June 27) included Chichester's mayor and town crier Richard Plowman, Bognor town mayor Phil Woodall and Bognor town crier Jane Smith.

The Chichester-based radio station was acquired by Bauer Media in 2019. The company announced last month Spirit FM, which broadcasts across West Sussex, will join Bauer's 'Hits Radio Brand Network'. The integration will mean that Spirit FM will rebrand as 'Greatest Hits Radio'.

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The name change has been proving controversial with some locals - Spirit FM has become a much-loved brand since it was founded in 1996.

Richard Plowman (left) and Phil Woodall at the event on Saturday (June 27).Richard Plowman (left) and Phil Woodall at the event on Saturday (June 27).
Richard Plowman (left) and Phil Woodall at the event on Saturday (June 27).

Headed by campaigners Steve Freegard, a former presenter at the station, and Kenny Smith whose 50-day charity cycle around the UK benefited from support from Spirit FM, and raised more than £21,000 for charity, the event took place in the Chichester Festival Theatre car park.

Steve Freegard said: "The protest at the weekend was incredible and way more people turned out that I had expected - the atmosphere was incredible.

"Thank you to everybody that came out. The atmosphere was way different to what I had been expecting. Really, it was celebrating what was being done by the Spirit team.

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"We are really grateful to the two mayors and to the town crier for coming out and supporting it."

Kenny Smith said: "It was absolutely brilliant and we had a massive turnout, I'm really chuffed."

The pair announced that the #SaveSpiritFM petiton would be closing on Monday (July 6) ahead of it being delivered to Bauer on the Friday.

Jane Smith, Bognor Regis' town crier said: "It was very well supported. I would say probably 150 people. We all socially distanced and kept safe and I did an announcement to let everyone know what was going on.

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"It would be a real shame to lose the station. Spirit FM has been there for as long as I can remember. It has always been an amazing people support to a lot of the events that go on."

Chichester mayor Richard Plowman described the turnout as 'really terrific' adding: "To mind, Spirit FM have been really great for the community. They have always been out there for us so I felt it important to support them from my point of view."

Bognor Regis mayor, Phil Woodall attended the event in a personal capacity, and said: "Spirit FM have helped me out on numerous occasions. If they go they will be sorely missed mostly because they are local and so know the area like the backs of their hands."

Graham Bryce, group managing director of Hits Radio Network Brand: “We are completely committed to local radio in Chichester, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton – and everywhere else in West Sussex that is served excellently by Spirit FM.

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"Local news, information, entertainment and remaining engaged in the community are our top priority. Our plans retain the local content that listeners value most whilst evolving the product to take account of changes in the market.

"The re-brand to Greatest Hits Radio is about ensuring local radio has a bright long-term future in West Sussex. Advertising revenue is clearly under pressure in the current climate, so it is also very important to local and national advertisers that they have access to the UK’s largest commercial radio network through the changes we are making.”