Radio Tyneside will be moving to Newcastle University Students’ Union (NUSU) this summer after their longtime NHS-provided studio was sold due to rising maintenance costs.
The award-winning hospital station’s new base will be located on the third floor of the Students’ Union building, just above Newcastle University’s student radio station, NSR. The move provides Radio Tyneside with a private studio and access to modern broadcast facilities.
The relocation was proposed by NUSU’s Director of Communications, Friday Cordingley, and Commercial Director, Graham Hatton, following Radio Tyneside’s urgent appeal for new premises in February. It ensures continuity of broadcast for the station, which reaches over 20,000 listeners across Newcastle and Gateshead.
Chairman Dave Nicholson OBE, a volunteer for Radio Tyneside since 1973, said the move marks a ‘special time’ for the station, and is enthusiastic about strengthening ties with student media.
Dave said: “We’ve been very lucky. Supporting and continuing community radio is more important than ever.”
“For any students wanting to go into the business, it gives them the opportunity to learn how we do it. We hope to start new news services and interview slots. There will be a working relationship between us.”
The move follows the Newcastle NHS Trust’s decision to sell the station’s studio on Claremont Road, where it has operated since 2009. The Trust was unable to find a suitable replacement location within NHS premises for the station, who were awarded Station of the Year 2025 at the Hospital Broadcast Association Awards in April.
Lucy Bower, NUSU’s Student Media Officer, said she is ‘very excited’ about Radio Tyneside joining the Students’ Union.
She said: “I think it will be really beneficial for Radio Tyneside to be in the centre of campus where people spend a lot of time.”
“I hope it will make areas of student media that have been overlooked visible. Having Radio Tyneside in the building will hopefully mean that our radio will go on to be more professional.”
The move has brought new expenses, such as bills and equipment. Radio Tyneside, run entirely by over 40 volunteers, responded quickly with a fundraising campaign.
Presenter Tony Crosby, who has hosted shows twice weekly since 2020, raised over £2,500 in April by solo cycling the entire Hebridean Way– including a donation of £1,000 from a loyal listener. He said: “When I first set up my GoFundMe, I set a target of £250. We raced past it, and the target just kept increasing.”
“We send lots of grateful thanks to our listeners and members. The Students’ Union has been marvellous. Any questions we’ve had, they’ve had the answers.”
Tony added: “We can only thank the NHS for all of their help. Hopefully they’ve gained something back from us being there for patients with some jolly tunes and jolly banter.”
Radio Tyneside is collating a plan to ensure a smooth move and hope to be broadcasting from NUSU by August, with no broadcast disruption in the meantime.
For more info, contact info@radiotyneside.co.uk.