Pitlochry-based Heartland FM has appealed for volunteers to come forward after announcing it will be ‘scaling down’ its output.
The community radio station has served Highland Perthshire for the past 30 years.
But it has suffered a big loss in advertising since Covid restrictions began in March 2020.
This has led to its parent charity Heartland Radio Foundation stating it will be scaling down its broadcasting services.
What we can’t do is continue the way we are
Kate Howie, a trustee since 2008, said: “We want volunteers to be part of the station – local volunteers are really important.
“With the financial situation at the moment we have to downsize and look at a different model.
“What we can’t do is continue the way we are.
“Financially we are not viable at the moment and we are working towards being viable for the future.”
£172k shortfall
From the beginning of next year the charity will launch ‘Heartland Lite’, to be staffed wherever possible by volunteers.
Currently the station, which operates 24/7, is run by a mixture of freelancers and volunteers.
Heartland Radio Foundation’s most recent accounts – for the 12 months to September 20 2021 – revealed a deficit on unrestricted funds of £172,106, up from £166,685 a year earlier.
In the past two years, the shortfall was met by grants and funding from Kate and her fellow trustees Graham Huggins and Douglas Craik.
More than £40,000 was also generated in a crowdfunding campaign thanks to 1,200 contributions from residents and businesses that ranged from £5 to £1,000.
“The deficit is funded largely by loans from trustees, and the trustees have given assurance of their long-term support towards the success of the radio operation,” said Kate in a Companies House statement.
Award despite loss of income
Income has been badly hit in recent months.
Kate, who served on Perth and Kinross Council between 2008 and 2017, added: “We have not got the backing of our advertisers – through no fault of their own as people are in extremis at the moment.
“In the past a good proportion of our income came from advertising but that has gone, it’s just disappeared.”
Despite these financial problems Heartland FM has been named the best community radio station in the past two National Community Radio Awards.
Those interested in volunteering should visit Heartland FM’s contact page.
Conversation