Radio station in Macclesfield
Cheshire's Silk Radio is an Independent Local Radio serving Macclesfield and parts of East Cheshire, owned and operated by neighbouring station Chester's Dee Radio.[1]
It broadcasts a mix of current and classic hits alongside local news and sport.
As of December 2023, the station broadcasts to a weekly audience of 17,000, according to RAJAR.[2]
History
Silk FM launched on 25 May 1998 with special guest Sammy McIlroy, then manager of Macclesfield Town Football Club. Past presenters have included Nick Wright, Jeff Cooper, Guy Morris, Paul Allen and Trevor Thomas.
The station was previously owned by The Local Radio Company before being sold to the owners of Dee 106.3 in June 2009. In January 2017 the station moved into a new studio complex at Adelaide House, Adelaide Street in Macclesfield.
In November 2012, the station was granted a significant transmitter power increase, partly to combat co-channel interference from the Heart North and Mid Wales transmitter at the Moel-y-Parc transmitting station, also broadcasting on 106.9 MHz FM. The transmitter site at Sutton Common BT Tower offers a line of sight across the Cheshire plain, meaning the signal can be heard into Lancashire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.
On 25 May 2023, the station celebrated its 25th anniversary by launching on DAB on the South Cheshire Multiplex. With the transmitter being located on the roof of South Cheshire College[3]
The station awards the title School of the Week to schools within its broadcast area.[4] Perhaps the most important awards it gives are the "Local Hero awards" which have been awarded since the stations inception.[5]
The annual Cheshire Show is one of the highlights in the Silk calendar, of which the station offers extensive coverage.[5]
Awards
In 2008, having been short-listed for the award in the previous year, Silk won Radio Station of the Year (under 300,000) at the Sony Radio Awards.[6] It was again short-listed for the 2009 award.[7]
In 2006, 2007[8] and 2008, Silk was named Radio Academy North West Station of the Year.[7]
Programming
Some of Silk Radio's programming is produced and broadcast from its Macclesfield studios. Live programming airs from 6am-7pm on weekdays, 8am-6pm on Saturdays and 8am-8pm on Sundays. Other output is automated or networked from Riverside Innovation Centre in Chester - Chester's Dee Radio.[9]
Silk Radio broadcasts hourly local, and national news bulletins from Radio News Hub.
The station also airs weekly sports programming and Saturday afternoons, including regular coverage of Macclesfield FC and Congleton Town.
Current Presenters
Andy Clewes - Weekday Breakfast
Daz Antrobus - Afternoon Show
Sam Walton - Saturday Daytime Show
Mike Peters - Weekend Breakfast
Dave Phillips - Sunday Brunch
Mike Wain - Silk Sport
