Staff work for free at radio station
Staff at radio station Bath FM are working without pay to keep it going as its parent company hits financial problems.
The firm which owns it says the radio station has a bright future despite a cash crisis which has left presenters and other workers waiting more than a week for their latest pay cheque.
But station staff fear that legal action could end up taking them off the air next week.
A venture capital firm has launched court action to wind up Laser Broadcasting, the owner of nine radio stations including Bath FM, which it bought earlier this year.
The case will be heard in the High Court in Leeds next Tuesday.
Workers at the station in Ashley Avenue have not received their full salaries this month but have continued to turn up for work to ensure that the station's service remains on air.
Yesterday, Laser - which recently moved broadcasting back to Bath from Swindon - paid £500 into the accounts of all the station's staff.
But they are still waiting for the rest of their salaries.
Breakfast show presenter Ian Dore said: “ I’m distraught, all the staff here at Bath FM have worked so hard, particularly since the programming team moved back to Bath.
“We’re proud of our achievements and that we are the only radio station broadcasting to Bath from Bath.”
Programme controller Tim Lewis added: "Everyone here at Bath FM cares passionately about providing the best service to the city and the surrounding areas and as the only Bath-based radio station we feel we must keep things going.”
Bath MP Don Foster has also given the station his support.
He said: “Bath FM is a crucial part of the city and only recently have we managed to get them back into the heart of Bath.
“If Bath FM now disappeared it would be huge loss and I will do everything I can to enable them to continue to provide the important work they do and ensure that the people of Bath know what is going on and enjoy the fantastic work of the station.”
A spokesman for Laser said the firm was hopeful that it would resolve what he described as a “technical banking issue” in the next two weeks.
He said any problems were at Darlington-based Laser and not at individual stations.
He added: “Whatever happens to Laser, Bath FM will continue.”
Laser also runs Brunel FM in Swindon, 3TR in Warminster, and Quay West which covers parts of Somerset.
The founders of the six-year-old group include Nigel Reeve, who was sales and marketing director at the launch of Classic FM.
The insolvency petition has been brought by Gateshead-based venture capital firm Capital North East No 1 Limited Partnership, which is owed money.
Capital’s lawyer Gareth Allan of Leeds firm C W Harwood, said he could not say how much money was owed.
He said he had been “in communication” with Laser’s solicitors but that that no payment had been forthcoming.
Other firms have since joined the court action.
Among those owed money – though not involved in the action – is Bath printing firm Blueprint Management, of Cork Street, whose managing diirector Peter Till has been trying to get a £370 bill paid since July.
One cheque was stopped and promises of replacement payments from Laser have not been fulfilled.
The spokesman said he could not comment on the issue.
He said staff had been kept up to date on the firm’s problems and that their pay was being sorted out.
Bath FM has carried on broadcasting but its official website is a temporary one and an alternative unofficial site – ilovebathfm.com – has been set up to carry presenter and programme information.
Its licence is held by Laser rather than the station itself, and options include the firm selling the enterprise, possibly to the workforce itself.
A spokeswoman for regulatory body Ofcom said it was keeping an eye on the situation: “We are aware that a petition to wind up Laser Broadcasting is due to be heard next week, and we are monitoring developments closely.
“The company is keeping us fully informed, and is seeking to ensure that the radio stations are able to continue broadcasting in the best interests of their staff and listeners.
“In these circumstances, until the winding-up order is heard by the court next week we are aware that the stations may not be able to fully comply with their format requirements.
“We do not propose to take any formal action against the licensees during this period.”
Tory leader David Cameron is reported to have written to Ofcom to express concern about Laser’s financial situation.
19 Comments
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by Richard Windsor Smith, Oxford
Thursday, October 09 2008, 9:08AM
“Interesting point there Dan but you can see that in Dec 07 and Jan 08 they took a major dip.
The reason? The insane and barbaric decision to move the programming staff to a co-located studion in Swindon. There were numerous technical issues that resulted in the station going off air a number of times. These were never resolved by the then owner, TLRC.
Without doubt the way ahead for Bath FM is to go to being independant. No constraints from the various 'groups' which have obviously hampered the situation.
When TLRC took over and implamented their 'music fun life' policy with reverse texts auctions, many stations suffered including Bath.
You can see a major jump from 3.3 to 4.4 and then to 4.8 when the new presenting team took over, then the move killed them. I am confident that, given a chance, Bath FM could rise from the Laser and TLRC ashes.
Good luck to the team, you have my full support. I don't dabble with radio anymore but I do miss it!”
by Dan, Bath
Thursday, October 09 2008, 8:04AM
“The thing is the station was loosing listeners before laser took over just check the rajar figures!
taken from mediauk
This radio station broadcasts to a survey area of 100,000 adults (aged 15+).
It is listened to by 16,000 people (15%) each week
Each listener tunes in for 4.1 hours per week - a total of 63,000
---
Surley broadcasting out to 100,000 adults and only 16,000 are listening for 4.1hours a week surley you can see there is something wrong with the station”
by Steve Williams, london
Wednesday, October 08 2008, 10:39AM
“this company ahs a long and terrible history of not paying staff and suppliers. Ofcom should have the gall to do something about it and remove the licenses from them for local people to operate on an interim basis until they find new owners.
The Laser broadcasting management have failed to pay hunderds of people and suppliers in the past few years and simply don't care who they leave in their wake.
As has been said above, look at Digitalspy.co.uk and search out Laser and the individual stations like fresh Radio, Sunshine Radio, Bath FM etc to see that there is simply a case whereby they are serial non-payers, some may allege fraud.
I for one was amazed when they were allowed to take Bath FM and the other two from TLRC. There may very wel be a case that TPRC themselves are still liable for some of the devastation being left behind by Laser broadcasting right now.
STEVE”
by Sarah, Bath
Wednesday, October 08 2008, 7:44AM
“I wish Bath Fm all the best. Its the most local radio station that we have in Bath and it would be a real shame if it had to close down.
I listen every day and I agree the staff have real determination and deserve our respect if they've stayed at work despite not being paid.
Good luck Bath Fm”
by Jess Walton, Southdown
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 8:14PM
“Wont go else where, this station is live from the city and sound so good at it,
The News is always local and the best in the city that is on the radio,
All the presenters have a good personality, sound funny.
Ian is a funny and good way to wake up.
You get home with the best travel around,
and its good to listen to Splat at night,
its all local.
Hope all turns for the best for the team at Bath FM”
by Vigilante Gran, Bath
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 5:06PM
“We listen all day every day at work. Good luck to all at Bath fm.”
by Daniel, Wiltshire
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 3:52PM
“The issue is with solely with Laser Broadcasting alright! If they hadn't been successful in their takeover bid in July, listeners wouldn't be about to be deprived of an excellent radio station run by dedicated people who care passionately about the product.
I believe the 'technical banking issue' to be a smokescreen; anyone who Googles 'Laser Broadcasting' can see they have reported history over non-payment of salaries to staff at a number of their other stations. Technical banking issues don't take months to sort out. Perhaps the bank is concerned about the Laser's financial stability.
I doubt David Cameron's intervention will make much difference, and sadly, all of Laser's stations will probably be history by Tuesday.
Spare a thought for those who've continued to work in the believe they would be paid .. and are beginning to realise it's unlikely to happen.
Laser? Should've been called Loser ...”
by Carl, Radstock
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 2:56PM
“Love Bath FM, Makes me smile on my way to work, great station with great presenters, if something happens in the city they report it first, if they go the city will lose something very big and very good, no other radio stations i listen to are local during the day or at night if we lose the station we lose part of the city and i hope every one in the city and gets behind the team at Bath FM during what must be a very tough time for the team at the station I hope you continue broadcasting and have a positive future, as I love your work”
by claire portnall, bath
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 11:27AM
“I wasn't refering to the creditors, of course they have to be paid!!!!!!!!!! I was refering to the people that owe the debt in the first place!! I would have thought that was obvious!”
by Charles Taylor, Kingswood
Tuesday, October 07 2008, 10:18AM
“After a bit of research ( got to digital spy or use google ) you will see that Laser Broadcasting have nothing if not a 'shady' past.
One would of thought there would have been failsafes to ensure that such a group would not be able to purchase 3 radio station and then let them go pearshaped.
As mentioned before, not the most polished, not the slickest however what Bath fm lacks there, they make up for in drive, determination, and above all localness. If you want BBC quality, listen to Radio 4. If you want to hear Jamie Oliver in his restaurant, Steve Meehan talking about the team and a blundering idiot falling over in Queens square just in the name of stupidity ( and lets be honest we all enjoy a laugh ) then you need look no further.
I don't want to adjust my dial, and I won't. Come rain or shine Im behind Bath fm all the way.”