Vibe 1 set to leave the town centre

The radio station has broadcast from its Crabbery Street studios since 2017.

Vibe 1 has announced that they are re-locating to new studios and office space at the former Staffordshire University site in Beaconside.

Stafford Borough Council's ambitious plans to transform the town centre includes demolition of the Guildhall Shopping Centre and the derelict former Co-op building - which will directly impact operations at their studios on Crabbery Street. Work is expected to begin inside the Guildhall before Christmas.

At a meeting on Thursday, Stafford Indoor Market traders said they were told they needed to remove all remaining stock by 12 October.

The local authority said the building needed to be empty by mid-October in order to meet financial deadlines and that it would look into providing alternative premises.

Stafford's very own local radio station has broadcast 24 hours a day from studios on Crabbery Street since 2017, but has decided to leave and move its operations to the Stafford Octagon. 

Vibe 1's Programme Director, Stu Haycock, said:

"We have little choice other than to move. The demolition work will significantly impact our operations, including an aerial mast move. 

Our FM aerial currently sits on top of the Guildhall and with the building set to be demolished, we would have to re-locate this anyway."

Vibe 1 has already begun the process with the regulator, Ofcom, and are aiming for a full re-location by the 1st November.

Stu Haycock continued:

"Moving a radio station from one location to another is not a quick process. However, we have been in dialogue with the Ofcom and they fully appreciate the situation we find ourselves in.

There is also no way that we can continue to broadcast live programming whilst demolition work is going on.

Our current studios are located in a Grade 2 listing building which has also meant that we have been limited to what we can and cannot sound proof in the building. This has been an issue that we have continually struggled to address and that has cost the radio station thousands over the last 18 months or so,"

The radio station will join over 50 other local businesses currently occupying space at the Beaconside Business Centre on Weston Road.

Stu added:

"Whilst its disappointing that we have to leave the town centre - we are also thrilled with our new location.

The move will considerably improve our service with ample parking on site for our team, guests and it will also allow us to re-locate the aerial on the top of the building at Beaconside.

We are investing time and money into our new studio complex and this move will allow us to further expand and improve our service.

We'd like to thank Barry at the Stafford Octagon for introducing us to Hannah and the team at the Beaconside Business Centre, They have assisted us with the detail and making us feel extremely welcome."

Vibe 1 are keen to stress that the move will not affect its current output but during the studio move it may cause some disruption.