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BRISTOL'S SWU FM CLOSES DUE TO RISING COSTS

An underground radio station in Bristol has closed due to "massive" hikes in maintenance costs

SWU FM launched back in October 2022 as a youth-led community radio station with a focus on Bristol's dance music scene

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It announced on 31 August via social media that it would cease broadcasting and closed the following day.

In a statement, management said "SWU launched in the middle of the Covid-19 outbreak and took heavy financial losses in this period. Against the odds we managed to survive various lockdowns, navigate restrictions and stabilise"

" However, recent risings costs and massive energy bill increases have made it impossible for us to continue "

"We want to thank you all for your contributions and support enabling us to create 23 months of great radio."

Well-known DJs such as Eats Everything presented regularly on SWU with guests including Fat Boy Slim and DJ Zinc popping by for interviews.

Bristol's night-time economy advisor said she was "devastated", calling the station "an essential hub for Bristol-born dance music" and "a lifeline for the music

community in Bristol".

"It brought so many people together from across the music spectrum," Carly Heath added.

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, the UK Community Radio Network is inviting stations who are struggling to email via hello@ukcrn.radio, as it looks to understand the impact on the sector and sign post to local or national support available, to support stations during this difficult time.

Managers are also reminded of our monthly meetings, where the sector can come together, share ideas and support each other.