MFR’s Inverness base to close its doors; decision by Bauer Media comes just months after the final Highland show broadcast from the site - Jodie at Breakfast - was axed
MFR’s Inverness base is to close its doors “later this year”, it has been reported.
The radio station is set to shutter its facilities in Scorguie Place, as well as those at its sister station NorthSound 1 in Aberdeen, as part of an ongoing shake-up of operations by parent company Bauer Media.
The company sparked anger and disappointment among fans of MFR late last year when it axed the final show still broadcasting from the Highland capital - Jodie at Breakfast - in favour of a Scotland-wide breakfast show broadcast out of Bauer’s Edinburgh studios for Forth1.
That earlier announcement, which resulted in the axe for MFR’s last remaining presenter Jodie McCluskey, also prompted fears that MFR’s Inverness base would soon be deemed surplus to requirements - with only some locally-generated news content still being produced in the city.
And those concerns have now been realised with the news that Bauer will shutter not only its Inverness base, but also its facilities in Aberdeen - leaving the broadcaster with no permanent facilities anywhere in the north of Scotland.
The news is part of wider restructuring within Bauer, which is planning to broadcast its numerous local, regional and national stations from four main hubs - in Glasgow, London, Belfast and Manchester.
The changes will result in the closure of eight existing bases across the UK - including those in Inverness and Aberdeen.
Three smaller “production centres” will also be retained - including one in Edinburgh, as well as others in Newcastle and Leeds.
It is understood that following the changes, any remaining staff still working in the Inverness area will be operating remotely or from serviced offices.
Speaking last year, when news of the end of Jodie at Breakfast was announced, former MFR CEO Thomas Prag - who set up the station - described the decision as “sad” and hit out at Bauer for removing the station’s local links. He was also highly critical of the regulator, Ofcom, for relaxing rules that allowed Bauer to ultimately sever its local connections. Rules requiring a minimum number of locally-produced shows were axed just days before Bauer’s decision last year.
A spokesperson for Bauer Media has confirmed the decision to close its Scorguie base.
“In tandem with these programming changes, Bauer Media announces that it will streamline its operations by consolidating its production capabilities into seven key centres located in London, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Belfast. This strategic move is designed to enhance operational efficiency while continuing to deliver high-quality content to listeners nationwide,” they said.
“As a Bauer spokesperson I confirm that means Bauer will exit its Inverness building later this year. There are no further programming changes in Scotland.”
