MuxCo Suffolk Ltd, the operators of the digital radio multiplex in Suffolk have submitted an application to apply for an FM radio licence to broadcast to Ipswich.

The ‘Ipswich FM’ application will bring back local radio to the area, after the incumbent operator – Town 102 – relocated the operation of the station to Norwich last year.

Local MP Sandy Martin says:

As MP for Ipswich I am convinced of the need for a viable commercial local radio station to complement the service from the local BBC Radio Suffolk. It is essential that this should be a genuinely local station, based among its audience, and broadcasting content which is determined by and sensitive to the needs of Ipswich people. I do not believe Ipswich people would welcome a radio station that was based in Norwich, nor would they regard it as local. The Ipswich FM bid gives the opportunity for Ipswich-based broadcasters, with a proven track record, to help to deliver a genuinely local radio station and I fully support their bid.

Ipswich FM Chairman Michael Betton, who started his career at the original Ipswich station, Radio Orwell, in 1975 says:

We passionately believe that local radio for Ipswich can’t and should not be delivered from our great, rival city of Norwich. We are delighted that Sandy and other stakeholders – advertisers, presenters and listeners – support and champion the localness of our submission to Ofcom.

You can read our full application here.

You can support our application or just send your views about the kind of local radio you would like to be broadcast in Ipswich through emailing Ofcom, the Government’s radio regulator – [email protected].