The BBC has appointed Robert Thompson as Interim Director of Production, BBC Local from 9th September. radiotoday.co.uk/2025/08/rob…

Turn Up The Volume! The Stables' monthly podcast series.. In possibly the post powerful episode yet @eveselis talks to @nickcoffer bout the personal trauma which led to the writing of her latest album. Listen to more👇 stables.org/welcome-to-turn-… #MusicPodcast

❤️Let’s talk relationships & inflammatory arthritis! From intimacy struggles to setting boundaries, we’re getting real about love, sex, & chronic illness in our latest episode. Tune in for an honest, empowering conversation. 🎧 Listen now: inflammatoryarthritis.org/ep… #ValentinesDay

What’s Next for BBC Local Radio? Questions About Creativity, Imagination, and Local Engagement BBC Local Radio in England faces a crossroads. With debates about restructuring, demographic focus, and the future of place-based journalism at the forefront, it’s time to ask some tough questions about the direction and purpose of local broadcasting. How can BBC Local Radio remain relevant in the lives of the communities it was designed to serve? Are we rethinking local enough? In an era of personalised, on-demand media, how can BBC Local Radio offer something that feels distinctively local and indispensable? Is it time to move away from centralised strategies and embrace a more devolved, locally-driven approach? Why isn’t local creativity prioritised? Are the current programming models too constrained by top-down editorial control? Could opening the door to local producers, presenters, and creators with strong ties to their communities unlock new and vibrant forms of local storytelling? Is it sustainable to focus on older audiences alone? While older listeners form a loyal base, is this demographic focus sustainable? Could a more intergenerational and intercultural approach build bridges across age groups and bring in younger audiences while maintaining loyalty from existing listeners? What’s the role of local radio in the digital age? As online platforms increasingly dominate how audiences consume content, how can BBC Local Radio adapt without losing its identity? Should its strength lie in hyper-local, real-time reporting and engagement, rather than attempting to replicate the offerings of digital giants? Are shared programmes diminishing local identity? Does regional and national programming dilute the unique local identity that makes these stations meaningful to their audiences? Could fully devolved content, designed and produced locally, better reflect the needs and stories of individual communities? How can local radio serve diverse communities? Are the voices of underrepresented groups being adequately reflected in BBC Local Radio’s programming? What steps can be taken to ensure that local radio fosters intercultural understanding and provides meaningful representation for all communities? Is local radio judged by the wrong standards? Should local radio be measured by RAJAR metrics and compared to commercial stations, or by its success in fostering community engagement, providing trusted news, and offering a platform for local voices? How do we balance tradition and innovation? Local radio has a legacy of community connection, but how can it embrace innovative ideas without alienating its core audience? What role should podcasts, social media, and live-streaming play in shaping its future? Without a clear, imaginative vision, how can BBC Local Radio avoid losing its audience to other platforms? Should the BBC be a leader in redefining local media for the 21st century, or risk being left behind? Is centralisation the problem? Can local radio thrive while editorial and financial control remain centralised? What would it take to devolve decision-making to individual stations, while retaining the benefits of BBC resources and branding? A Call for Imagination and Action The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities. Local audiences crave media that reflects their lives, voices, and experiences. If the BBC doesn’t grasp the importance of sustainable, devolved, and locally based media, will audiences turn to other platforms that serve them better? These aren’t just questions for the BBC—they’re for anyone who values the role of local media in creating vibrant, connected communities. How do you see the future of local radio? What changes are needed to ensure it thrives? Let’s start the conversation.

There are some amazing interviews in the August edition of Turn Up The Volume! @nickcoffer chats to comedian, writer and broadcaster @domjoly about his book, The Conspiracy Tourist, and his show, The Conspiracy Tour (Mon 23 Sept @StablesMK ). 👇🎧 stables.org/welcome-to-turn-…