‘An important platform for culture’: New community radio station set for Greenwich

Plans for a new community radio station in Greenwich have been approved by the council.

LOOSE.FM, will be housed in a converted shipping container, in the Design District in Greenwich Peninsula.

Mark Freeman, founder at LOOSE.FM, said: “Radio is such an important medium for creating a sense of connection and community. 

“The move to Design District marks a big moment for everyone involved.”

Established in 2021, LOOSE.FM is a community station focused on “eclectic, experimental, ecstatic” sound and culture. 

The station has built up a network of more than 300 contributors, DJs, producers and creators. 

Mr Freeman said: “Since launching, LOOSE has given loads of emerging DJs and creators the opportunity to record their first live shows, and we’ve attracted a lot of established names too. 

“We’re really looking forward to what new avenues we can explore on the platform – especially around radio’s true power, which is in the imagination of the listener. And that’s limitless.”

Setting up its first purpose-built home at Design District, LOOSE.FM will join more than 1,800 creative businesses and co-working members currently based at the campus.

Scheduled to open in Spring, the radio platform will host live shows, public activations and community events.

Programming for LOOSE.FM is currently underway, and will feature DJs and shows from its existing community alongside a fresh cast of newcomers, as well as a new speech and live podcast strand.

Laura Flanagan, director at Design District, said: “Independent radio stations across London have faced challenges to keep the mics on in recent years but provide an important platform for culture, conversation and connection. 

“It’s our mission to keep the creative sector at the heart of the city and it is particularly rewarding to be able to house another kind of creative organisation at Design District, where we hope it will flourish. 

“We’re excited to see CAUKIN’s design take shape over the coming months as we get ready to welcome the public to visit the station in April.”

The station will be located at the centre of Greenwich Peninsula, opposite Central Park at the Southeast of Design District, adjacent to the O2 Arena and North Greenwich Station. 

Designed in collaboration with the architecture practice CAUKIN Studio, the re-purposed shipping container has been insulated to reach the acoustic performance needed for recording. 

Pictured top: Artists image of the radio station in Greenwich Peninsula’s Design District (Picture: Secchi Smith)