Radio City owners Bauer Media to exit St Johns Beacon

The “Radio City Tower” is officially no more as owners Bauer announce they will exit St Johns Beacon by the end of the year.

It has been announced today that Bauer Media Audio UK will be leaving St Johns Beacon in Liverpool following the decision not to renew the lease – which comes to an end next year – on the Grade II listed building.

Currently home to the Hits Radio Liverpool, formerly Radio City and and Greatest Hits Radio Breakfast shows, St Johns Beacon has housed Bauer stations and teams since 2000.

Simon ‘Rossie’ Ross has been at the helm of the Greatest Hits Radio Breakfast Show since 2019 having previously been the Breakfast presenter on Radio City 2; whilst Leanne Campbell has been on the Hits Radio Liverpool Breakfast Show for over a decade.

A spokesperson for Bauer Media Audio UK said:

‘We are incredibly proud to have been part of the vibrant history of the Grade II listed St Johns Beacon. This next step allows us to invest in facilities that better support our vision and evolving needs.

The final shows from St Johns Beacon will air on Tuesday 24th December. Following this date, Greatest Hits Radio Breakfast will broadcast nationally from Bauer’s state-of-the-art Northwest hub, whilst Hits Radio Liverpool Breakfast will continue to broadcast from the city.’

Whilst the decision has been taken to not renew the lease on the St Johns Beacon building, Bauer Media Audio continues to lease the Radio City 96.7 signage and is currently engaging in consultation with the landlord and relevant planning authorities over changing the sign to Hits Radio.

There is no news yet on any plans for the iconic building or what the building could be home to in the future.

Last week over 200 former Radio City employees celebrated the 50th anniversary since the launch of the station.

194 Radio City began its 50 year journey at 5.58am, with an announcement from its founding Managing Director Terry Smith who said: “It’s two minutes to six on Monday October 21, 1974. For the very first time, this is 194 Radio City broadcasting to Merseyside.” Read more here.