A group interested in taking over Coalville's community radio AM frequency says progress has been made.

Leicester-based Soar Sound wants to broadcast using the licence presently held by Radio Carillon.

The group made its initial interest known to Coalville Nub News earlier this month.

Now it says Ofcom has confirmed that the license will not be re-advertised for a number of years, and that they would be happy for Soar Sound to take on the license through a transfer process, which is described as a relatively quick and straightforward process.

In January, Hermitage FM announced it would be closing this month, adding: "We, Jon and Jan Sketchley, have worked tirelessly for almost 17 years to bring a local radio service to North West Leicestershire on Hermitage FM, as well as a regional service – along with the NHS and Leicestershire County Council – on CWR since 2018."

Pete Degnan, who is in charge of Special Projects at Soar Sound, said this week: "It is my hope that Jan and Jon Sketchley would be willing to sit down and discuss the situation with me in an attempt to facilitate the transfer of the Carillon Wellbeing Radio licence to Soar Sound. 

"I fully accept that there are health problems and sincerely wish them both well, however the continuance of the Carillon Wellbeing Radio is solely for the greater good of the people of Leicestershire.

"We highly commend the hard work done over a number of years by Jan and Jon Sketchley at Carillon Wellbeing Radio. 

"However, we strongly feel that the closing down of the station will leave a huge vacuum. 

"Our years of experience, professional attitude, high desire to show that we care about the residents of Leicestershire has enabled us to develop a format and ethos which we know works. 

"Regular interviews with local heath and wellbeing charities will provide a platform where they are able to connect with listeners, promote various projects and receive feedback from listeners. 

Mr Degnan added that Soar Sound is due to launch on May 25 - but, at the moment, there are no plans to broadcast on the FM frequency currently used by Hermitage.

He said: "People are well aware of burden of high demand presently being placed on the NHS. In addition the financial situation in various councils is also an area of concern for many. This forms part of our desire and professional approach towards wanting to offer a county wide health and wellbeing radio station, in Leicestershire.

"We understand that public money from the local Hospital trust and/or local council(s) has been granted to Carillon Wellbeing Radio. 

"If the Carillon Wellbeing license was transferred to ourselves, then this would ensure that this public money invested can continue to provide benefit for the communities it was intended to serve.

"The industry regulator, Ofcom has already made it clear that should the Carillon Wellbeing Radio AM license is surrendered then it will NOT be offered again. 

"That is a loss that must be averted if at all possible. Every possible avenue must be examined and explored. 

"It must also be noted that OFCOM have said that they would not envisage any problem if the AM license was transferred to us. We have taken professional advice and are very confident we have the resources and expertise necessary to continue this, and it would compliment our existing DAB license excellently."