The Latest on Cityvibe FM	(30 Jun 2005)

Since questions regarding the launch of Cityvibe FM has been asked, the current situation is as follows ...

This remains a serious project which is progressing. The actual launch date was always dependant on when funding would be available and on how quickly the licence could be obtained. At present the County Council, through their Neighbourhood Forums, have provided grants. This has meant attending their various meetings to put our case and these will not be completed until late July. At the time the original launch date was set, we did not know the actual dates of these meetings or, indeed, whether we could rely on their backing. Each of the forums have allocated an amount of money for the project for which we are greatly appreciative. Funding has also been obtained from Carlisle City Council and we have applications with another six grant agencies from which we are awaiting replies. Additionally we have raised a certain amount of money from our own activities and are also hoping for positive replies from a number of local businesses. The grants that have already been received have allowed us to apply for the licence from Ofcom and we have already been in conversation with them and they have outlined the time scale which is standard for such an application.

As far as the website is concerned, this was never intended to be a marketing ploy – simply an information site. It never was or is intended that the service we will provide will be in direct competition with any other radio station. Ours will be a Community Radio Station, which is completely different to either CFM or Radio Cumbria.

Finally, because of the rules applying to the licence, Cityvibe FM can only relay its transmission to a restricted area i.e. Carlisle so unfortunately West Cumbria cannot be served.

I hope this clarifies the situation. We are all working very hard to get this project up and running but it always was going to be a long and complicated endeavour and it simply is taking a little while longer than we anticipated at the outset.