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Wednesday, October 08, 2008, 15:45
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.
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