Can you tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do?
I’m the Founder and CEO of Southdown Radio, the DAB+ digital radio station for Brighton & Hove.
I first moved to Brighton back in 1989 to work at Southern FM and currently reside in the old Butlins Hotel in Saltdean. With over 40 years in the radio industry, I’ve gained a wealth of experience at both local and national levels. Interestingly, I also hold a bus driver’s license, although I’m not quite sure how that fits into my radio career! At 61, I am still passionate about local broadcasting.
How did you get into radio?
My radio career started at the age of 19 as a volunteer at County Sound Radio in Guildford. I began by delivering leaflets for the station launch, with plenty of support from my mum! Before I knew it, I was on the airwaves as a breakfast show presenter.
What prompted you to set up Southdown Radio, and how is local radio different from national?
For many years I had wanted to create a hyper-local radio service for listeners in my home city that promised a compelling mix of music, local news and information - while at the same time offering businesses around Brighton & Hove a truly affordable opportunity to market their goods and services to a highly-concentrated local audience. When a new wave of local radio licenses was announced we saw an opportunity and applied for one, leading to the birth of Southdown Radio on DAB+.
Our station is distinctly different from national radio and the regional radio brands you now hear in the city because we focus specifically on Brighton & Hove - talking every day about local events and organisations, tide times and travel news, council business and community groups. It's the reason why our slogan is "Hear the Difference!" We’ve also found that same focus appeals to local businesses who don’t want to pay for advertising in areas that won’t benefit them.
What’s the weirdest or funniest thing you’ve ever heard happen on live radio?
Over my four decades in radio, I’ve so many stories. One memorable moment was during a vet’s phone-in, where a caller asked what to do about her budgerigar lying on its back with its legs in the air. The vet had to gently deliver the sad news that the little bird may have properly fallen of its perch!
And a final fun question, one of our favourite ice breakers – if you could only have three apps on your phone, which ones would you choose?
If I had to narrow it down to just three apps I would choose LinkedIn, my banking app and of course, RadioPlayer!
Hannah Withey is Marketing & Engagement Manager at Brighton Chamber - a purposefully welcoming, inclusive and diverse membership organisation for businesses of all sizes. Find out more about joining the Chamber's brilliant business community here.
If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk