Ashford Local Radio - Ofcom Licensing

Accessibility
The ALR Radio Car will be sent out into the Ashford community on a twice daily and once on Saturday and Sunday basis.
This might be to a local event or live news location. Our listeners will be able to have access to ALR staff, and for us, oneto-one
access to them.This is an important point often missed by other broadcasters. All live on-air interviews, whether
studio or outside based, are recorded and edited and when editorially justified, incorporated into the news output with
the highlights of the day’s interviews and local news replayed in the evening programme. Pre-recorded sections through
the day will free up time for staff to adhere to this schedule. (See Appendix 11).
“Roadshows are good.You’ve got to try to bring the station to the people.”
A sponsored radio car is also available to the news team and will be used at every opportunity to interact with
local stories.
“Comparing Ashford (ALR) with a lot of the other local radio stations, they don’t have it [local information] any more….they
have expanded to the extent that they reflect KM, that there is nothing really local about them any more.”
ALR’s links to the Ashford community are a vital element of programming policy. A policy of free advertising is extended
to all local non-profit, community organisations. The hourly ‘Ashford Diary’ will briefly highlight community notices and if
the situation warrants a news feature or an on-air interview is arranged. Also, where feasible, the voice of a
representative is used so as to establish a relationship between the organisation and ALR’s audience.
“‘The ALR Big Event’, an annual fundraising push benefiting a local nominated charity is a major fixture on the ALR calendar
and will involve every facet of the station culminating in a large public charity event.”
ALR has forged a relationship with South Kent College with an agreement in place offering media students a short trainee
position with an appraisal at the end. Plus, ALR makes staff available to the college to speak to the students and answer
their questions.The next Trevor McDonald or Anna Ford could come from Ashford!
“(Competitions are) a part of radio. Quick ones – win a T-shirt, win a CD, or roll-over cash for ‘mystery voice’.”
Promotions and competitions are also scrutinised through ALR’s policy of priority where a local angle will always be given
top billing. Existing relationships with the Town Centre Partnership, Chamber of Commerce and Ashford Borough Council
are used to develop promotions designed to benefit Ashford, as well as ALR. Retail shopping and Ashford Town
promotions are a regular feature in ALR’s programming. But care will be taken for undue prominence when a prize or
service has been donated.
What ALR offers is Ashford life manifested into a radio station and, at present, absent on the radio dial in Ashford and
greatly contributes to the available Ashford radio choice.
www.ashfordlocalradio.com
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