Chesterfield MP airs concerns as Peak FM disappears

Peak FM officially rebranded as Greatest Hits Radio (North Derbyshire) on Monday.

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It was one of dozens of Bauer Media-owned local stations in England and Wales to be replaced by the national Greatest Hits Radio brand.

Popular Peak FM presenters have lost their jobs – with Bauer Media bringing in a number of national names, including Simon Mayo, Mark Goodier and Janice Long, to fill the schedules.

Bauer Media insists it is ‘committed to retaining local relationships’ – but a number of residents have complained about the demise of Peak FM.

Toby Perkins, Chesterfield’s MP, told the Derbyshire Times: “I share my constituents’ concerns about the changes at Peak FM.

“The station has lost a number of dedicated staff who knew Chesterfield, and the surrounding areas, inside out and who understood the local issues and history.

“If local radio ceases to be local, it's just part of the general noise.”

Mr Perkins said he had met with the station’s new owners and long-standing chief executive to ‘discuss steps that they would take to ensure some local content’.

He added: “I recognise that this is a very difficult time for the media with pressure on advertising revenues and that there is a need to offer content that attracts listeners.

“I also recognise that change can be unpopular initially and that overall audience figures will be measured – but I am concerned about the move away from localised content, particularly localised news and travel.

“I am not certain that the early soundings regarding local content have ultimately been adhered to and I will be monitoring the station’s development closely and hope that listeners feel that the station still has a local feel.

“I would also urge listeners to contact Greatest Hits Radio and complain directly.

“The new owners need to know that if they do not keep the station rooted in the local area, then people might stop listening.”

Graham Bryce, a managing director at Bauer Media, said: “We are committed to retaining our local relationships and look forward to engaging closely with local listeners and businesses.”

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