Final broadcast for Swanage Pier community radio station
- Published
The pier was built in 1895 and was restored and reopened by Swanage Pier Trust in 2019
A community radio station based on a Victorian seaside pier is closing due to pressure on its finances.
Purbeck Coast Radio, run by the Swanage Pier Trust, has broadcast from Swanage Pier since August 2019.
Station founder and trust chief executive Ben Adeney said the pandemic and economic downturn had made it difficult to secure long-term funding.
The station's final show will end at 17:00 GMT on Thursday.
Mr Adeney previously told the BBC: "I think there are multiple factors involved - there's no doubt that running any radio station is not going to be a cheap exercise.
"We were very fortunate because we had about 40 volunteers and a grant from the lottery to fund a station manager.
"We hoped we'd find long-term funding but, despite everyone's best efforts, thanks to the pandemic and economic downturn, the funding sadly eluded us."
Local school children have benefited from visiting the station
During the five years that it had been operating, the radio station organised social events and offered media experiences to local school children.
Mr Adeney said: "Because the pier is a central part of the community it seemed to be an ideal location and a fantastic concept to bring people together.
"We wanted to reach out to young people and get them more involved and it's been hugely successful in that respect."
The radio station previously said it was in discussions about where the studio equipment would go so it could continue to benefit the community.
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