LB: This is why community radio is so important
Thankfully in my area there are two stations that I regularly listen to, which aren't part of Bauer or Global (the two big chains in the UK), one of them being your standard community radio station and the other being a station for proper electronic dance music.
You've gotta support your local stations, even if it's just by listening to them. If you don't then all the local stuff will just disappear.
@renbymon I used to listen to 96.4 The Wave, which was a local station in Swansea that had a vibe closely associated with the Gower peninsular and summer holidays. It was my little slice of home. It was taken over by Bauer in 2019, rebranded as [S]hits Radio this year and now plays the same garbage as everyone else. The studios in Kingsbridge have been closed and listenership has dived off a cliff.
@renbymon We've got a community station in Derby, but it's online only. I would be tempted to fund them to go FM, if it's solely the money that's holding them back.