Member Article

Band Hatton in tune with radio station's needs

A Coventry radio station has a new home after a neighbouring law firm proved to be in tune with the broadcaster’s needs.

Radio Plus 101.5fm has moved into the renovated former home of Mercia FM, in Hertford Place, after Station Square-based legal experts Band Hatton advised on the move.

The station, formerly based in Broadgate House, made the move as it continues to work towards its ambition of becoming a community media hub for the Coventry and Warwickshire region.

As a not-for-profit organisation, Radio Plus originally approached Band Hatton for charity advice but returned to the legal experts when the opportunity to secure the Hertford Place lease from Orion Media arose.

Tim Coleman, Radio Plus station manager, said: “Our old base in Broadgate was never intended to be permanent; it was limited to one small studio which had temporary soundproofing.

“We had two options, find a purpose-built facility or go for a shop front and fit it out with the necessary equipment.

“But then the opportunity to secure the lease at Hertford Place came up and we approached Band Hatton for support.

“As well as broadcasting, the new site will allow us to create a community-oriented media hub with co-located partners including a recording and rehearsal facility run by One Nation Studios to help profile local music

“Through the new recording facility, the station will be able to broadcast live music sessions and so aims to promote the city’s musical talent.

“Band Hatton helped us achieve a good understanding of what was required to make the move and of all the important legal implications.”

Haydn Jones, partner at Band Hatton, said: “For Radio Plus to have relocated to its new home is a positive move, not only for the station, but for the city as a whole.

“The move will allow the station to promote the positive aspects of Coventry more comprehensively than ever before and also opens the door to many other exciting media-oriented opportunities.

“The fact we were originally approached for charity advice, and were able to offer advice around the commercial property aspects of the deal, underlines our wide range of expertise at Band Hatton and we were delighted to have been able to help.”

Picture caption: (front) Haydn Jones, Band Hatton; (back l/r) Radio Plus’ Tim Coleman, Paul France, Adair Richards.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Gilbert .