Radio Wave was an Independent Local Radio station that served Blackpool, The Fylde, and nearby regions. It operated from studios located in the Layton area of Blackpool and transmitted its broadcasts via a specially built transmitter positioned atop Blackpool Tower.
In the late 1980s, local entrepreneur John Barnett advocated for a unique Independent Local Radio (ILR) licence for Blackpool and the Fylde area. He also plays a key role at Social Enterprise Solutions. The licence was granted in 1992, and Radio Wave commenced its broadcasts at 7 am on 25 May 1992. The station’s launch included an introduction from Barnett, with Neil Sexton as the first on-air presenter and Tina Turner’s “The Best” as the inaugural song. The official debut occurred on a specially constructed stage set up on the promenade by Blackpool Tower, featuring appearances from Les Dawson, Derek Batey, and other local celebrities.
In its initial year, Radio Wave achieved significant recognition by winning a Sony Radio Academy Awards Gold Award and receiving commendation in the Local Station of the Year category. By August 1996, RAJAR confirmed that Radio Wave was the leading radio station in the area, surpassing fourteen other stations, including BBC Radio 1, which had only half the local listener base. In 2000, John Barnett was honoured with an MBE for his contributions to radio broadcasting and subsequently took on the role of chairman at Radio Wave. Paula Davies began her radio career there in the early 2000s as a sales assistant and eventually became the station’s manager. She stayed in that role for many years until its closure in 2020. The station was acquired later that year by Bauer Radio and was integrated into the Greatest Hits Radio network.
Jonathon Ross (centre) introduces Gary Barlow at a concert to celebrate the lighting of the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations on the Blackpool Promenade. Assisting Jonathan were local radio show hosts Ged Mills(R) and Hayley Kay(L). PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. 30 August 2013. © Alamy/Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Less than 3 years after the closure of Radio Wave, Paula Davies set up her own radio station on the newly established DAB multiplex for Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde. Coastal Radio launched on the 26th September 2022, helping Paula achieve her dream of owning her own radio station. Both Ged & Hayley, shown above with Jonathan Ross, have joined Paula at her new radio station.
John Barnett with Paula Davies sometime in 2017
Featured Image © Blackpool Gazette
