​Bristol's SWU.FM is ceasing broadcast this week

Treasured Bristol radio station SWU.FM has announced that it will cease operation from Thursday, September 1.

The station - tuned to 103.7FM - cited financial issues, huge energy bills, and the hiking cost of living crisis as reasons for its cease.

SWU.FM has been running for close to two years after launching in Bristol amidst the pandemic and operated as a station for dance music lovers in and around the city with bass-forward selectors frequently taking the wheel.

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“SWU.FM will cease broadcasting and close on 1st September 2022,” the team announced across social media earlier today. “SWU launched in the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak and took heavy financial losses in this period."

"Against the odds, we managed to survive various lockdowns, navigate restrictions and stabilise. However, recent risings costs and massive energy bill increases have made it impossible for us to continue.”

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In its short two years, SWU FM has served Bristol’s music scene with mixes and live sets from the likes of LCY, Om Unit, Eats Everything, Addison Groove, Skream, and more, with takeovers at festivals including Love Saves The Day and We Out Here.

“We want to thank you all for your contributions and support enabling us to create 23 months of great radio,” the station said.

Fans and friends of the station including DJ Noir, Mixtress, Sir Hiss, My Nu Leng, SHERELLE and Notion have taken to social media to express their sadness over SWU FM's closure.

"Is it too late to crowdfund?" wrote SHERELLE on Twitter. "Not fair that grassroots stations have to close because of this shit government."

You can listen to SWU.FM’s final series of broadcasts from tomorrow here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter