Community radio station opens inside Shrewsbury shopping centre for first ever time

INTune Radio has become the first radio station to open inside the Darwin Shopping Centre - opposite Home Bargains on the middle level of the centre.

The community radio station was founded to serve and reach the Shropshire community and help bring local radio back to the county. 

It started as a podcast during the Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown periods, and its popularity has grown immensely.

Now as an official radio station and no longer in podcast form, INTune Radio is providing a free-to-air service for local charities and community groups with a cost-effective advertising service for local businesses. 

The radio station plays a variety of music genres, including local artists. However, the station prides itself on being more than just playing music and aims to work with local people and tell real life stories. 

Having a physical site in the centre of Shrewsbury has been important to founder of the station, Wayne Flynn. The new base enables the station to engage with new and existing listeners in a way never before, in the heart of the community.

It will also be helpful for the radio station to have a permanent base for its 40 volunteers that help to run it.

Founder of the Station Wayne said: “Community radio stations and shopping centres make the perfect partnership. I believe we will bring something very special to the centre, while hopefully growing our awareness within the town. 

“Being located where we are, next to national brands like M&S and Primark, is incredible and the management team have been so supportive from the outset - I just can’t wait to get going. Plus, I’ve no doubt that being in the Darwin will enable our growth to continue, help us reach even greater audiences and support more charities and community organisations.”

Centre Manager of The Darwin, Kevin Lockwood added: “I am thrilled that Wayne has chosen the Darwin to open their first Shrewsbury site. Having a radio station operating from the centre is a first for us and takes us into another realm, which is very exciting.

“We’ve had a great relationship with the INTune team throughout and I’m very happy with how their premises looks and have great confidence that they’ll love their prime location - as will their new listeners.”

Shropshire residents can listen to INTune Radio by downloading their app, searching on the web, or asking your smart device. 

The station recently launched a competition to find the greatest rap by a Primary School in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.