A DECADE in the making, Guildford-based Kane FM is celebrating being granted a five-year community radio licence by Ofcom.

The station’s managing director, Ian Handy, said the licence award – announced on Wednesday – was “all good”.

Ofcom said: “Kane FM will be a radio service to support the local community in Guildford.

“Its primary focus is 15 to 39-year-old fans of independent (mainly urban) music and it will provide an outlet for showcasing local talented artists and musicians.

“The station will provide opportunities for individuals in the community to become involved with the station and will serve as a way for local events to be promoted to the wider community.”

Kane FM started life as a pirate radio station in the early 1990s, later going on to enjoy a successful 28-day RSL (restricted service licence) in 2004.

Since then the station has been focused on its lengthy community radio licence bid, at the same time maintaining its presence as a brand in the Guildford area through the Kane FM Presents… nights and involvement in the StreetCLASH and Suburban Sprawl events among others.

“Something special”

A delighted Ian Handy said: “It is with great pleasure and immense pride that we can tell the people, our steadfast team and impending listeners, that Kane have been awarded the five-year FM licence.

“Today heralds innovation for the UK radio scene and demonstrates that anyone with passion and determination can work hard to achieve their dreams, regardless of their social and economic backgrounds”.

The Kane FM team said a huge amount of work now lay ahead in terms getting the station on air and safeguarding it for the future.

Licensee Simon Foster added: “For many years I dreamt of being able to develop a licensed station that primarily aired independent music, mainly due to fact that other stations within the locality showed no interest in playing anything deemed too subversive.

“Together with many like-minded people, and after 10 years’ work, we have finally managed to procure something special, something for the people.

“This licence is very much sought after and we will step up to the mark and deliver a service like nothing previously heard.

“All individuals currently involved in this project are volunteers and they do this for the love of music and the harmony of the community.

“Kane FM has new milestones to achieve, but rest assured we are now closer than ever to returning”.

Kane FM celebrates five-year radio licence

If you feel like you want to get involved by doing some exclusive mixes for us email me @ mark@kanefm.com