Radio Tyneside, Newcastle and Gateshead’s hospital and community radio station, is facing one of the biggest challenges in its 75-year history – finding a new home – it has revealed in a post on its Facebook page this afternoon.
The station, which picked up a Silver Award for Station of the Year and Gold for its Great North Run trailer at the 2024 Hospital Radio Awards, revealed that it is currently actively seeking new premises. It added that discussions are already underway with various organisations and there is “great optimism that a suitable new location will be found.”
The move was initally forced by the planned redevelopment of the Newcastle General Hospital site into what has been described as the UK’s first “heath innovation neighbourhood.” The station has been based at its Newcastle General Studio since 1970, and has recently been housed in a temporary studio at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, also home to the city’s Radio Lollipop station. The station used its social media post to describe the latest move as an “opportunity to evolve, expand, and reach even more listeners than ever before.”
It added: “Relocating is not just a logistical challenge – it carries a significant financial burden for the charity-run station. While previously the NHS Trust’s support has been invaluable in covering past operational costs, moving to a new location presents a considerable financial strain. Without a new base, the station’s ability to continue serving hospital patients and the wider community is at serious risk.”
Radio Tyneside’s chairman, Dave Nicholson OBE, said: “We remain committed to providing our unique service to patients and the local community, as well as reaching listeners online. But to continue, we urgently need a new location for our studios.
“We are appealing to individuals, businesses, and organisations who may be able to help us find a new home. If you can assist in any way, please get in touch.”
Radio Tyneside first began broadcasting in 1951 as a football commentary service for hospital patients and is now one of the UK’s oldest broadcasters. It has been a pioneer in hospital radio, becoming the first to be licensed for AM broadcasts and later expanding to FM in 2018 and DAB in 2022.
Today, the station serves hospital patients at the Freeman Hospital and Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, as well as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead. It also reaches the wider community via 93.6 FM, DAB, and online streaming.
Nicholson added: “Radio Tyneside has always been about bringing people together, providing comfort, and sharing stories that matter.
“We’re confident that with the help of our community, we’ll find the right place to continue our mission and make our service even stronger.
“If you have a space that could accommodate the station or can offer financial or logistical assistance, any help is greatly appreciated. Time is running out, and every bit of help will make a difference to our listeners and the communities we serve.”
If you can help, or for more information, email [email protected].
