Sadness as Chesterfield’s Peak FM to disappear and become Greatest Hits Radio

From September, Chesterfield-based Peak FM will be one of 49 local stations to be rebranded as Greatest Hits Radio by owners Bauer Media.

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RadioToday estimates that around 160 on-air presenting roles could be axed across the country as part of the restructure.

However, industry news website Hold the Front Page reported that journalism roles at the affected stations – including news presenter and reporter posts – will not be among those at risk.

In a post on Twitter on Wednesday night, Peak FM presenter Gav Puszczalowskyi said: “This morning I was informed that I will lose my presenting job due to Greatest Hits Radio replacing the radio station I work at.

“Within one hour of being informed I was doing the weekly shop for a self-isolating 90+ year old lady who suffers with Alzheimer’s.

“I say this not for praise but because it very quickly put my news into perspective for me.

“While losing my job is not the best news, you just have to look around and see some of the challenges people are facing in this current climate and realise that this is just a blip, a bump in the road and one that I can and will bounce back from.

“As one door shuts it is up to me to go and find another one to open. So that’s what I am going to do.”

TV and radio presenter Pete Farries added: “Very sad to hear about Peak FM.

“I had a wonderful time there and it had such a great group of listeners.

“The local voice continues to get hammered across the country.”

Bauer Radio group managing director Dee Ford said: “Audiences love and trust radio.

“Expanding the Hits Radio brand network will ensure listeners to these acquired stations benefit from multi-platform digital distribution meaning they can continue to broadcast in an increasingly competitive, digital and voice-activated world.

“This ensures the provision of local news and information, traffic and travel as well as access for advertisers to highly valued audiences.”

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