Save Mix96 as our local radio station – petition passes 1000 in just a few days

More than 1000 people from across Aylesbury have signed a petition to save local Radio station Mix96 following the announcement by its owner Bauer Group to downgrade the local station to a national station.

A petition has been set up and has drawn wide-ranging support calling for Bauer Media to reverse its decision to replace Mix96 FM with a national radio station.

The Petition launched by the Liberal Democrats in Aylesbury says the loss of the service will be "a huge blow to our local communities" said Lib Dem spokesperson Steven Lambert.

Bauer Media announced this week, the Aylesbury radio station is set to be replaced by Greatest Hits Radio, with just a few hours a day of regional presenting from its Aylesbury base.

Steven Lambert, who is the leader of the Lib Dems at Buckinghamshire Council said: "Mix96 is at the heart of our community. The town that has a strong local music culture needs its local radio station to be part of its beating heart.

Parklife - Aylesbury 2019

So many of us just have it on in the background at the office and listen out for what's going on in our community - local traffic news, snow days, school closures, broadcasts from community events like the Town's signature August Bank Holiday event ' Park Life' run by the Town Council and the annual Mix96 Christmas present and Easter Egg appeals. People recognise and trust Mix96, its staff team and it's a brand that everyone knows and trusts."

Steven said: "I am really concerned about the impact on community groups and events which are supported by Mix96. The proposals will be a hammer blow to our community.

Aylesbury is trapped between two TV broadcast areas and the big beast radio stations, Mix96 plays a vital role in our community bringing our town and the surrounding villages to life with music, news, and supporting events. With the new station offering mostly national content and a small amount of regional programming, I fear its reflection of us as a town and our community will be lost."

Steven is also concerned about the Mix 96 staff team; whose roles are currently under consultation for redundancy.

Steven continued: "over the years I have got to know the Mix96 team really well. You see them in the coffee shop, the supermarket and many of them live in the heart of our community.

"They are passionate about the station and our town and with so much national uncertainty at the moment the community needs a really strong local radio station. To lose such an important bit of that community is awful."

The petition has already attracted more than 1000 signatures in just a few days. Add your name here!