WINSFORD has a brand-new community radio station.

Feel Good Throwbacks Radio launched on Friday, September 22, and will be pumping out tunes from the 80s, 90s, and noughties from its new studio above the Cheshire Fish Bar on High Street.

The station is a new venture for former paramedic and club DJ, Paul Bannister, otherwise known as DJ-B3ee, who started in the business with Cheshire Choice FM when he was just 16 years old.

The 44-year-old says they have an ‘open door policy’, and residents should feel free to drop in for a chat, have a cup of tea, or even just watch TV in the warm on one of their comfy sofas.

Northwich Guardian: (L ro R): DJ Darren G; town mayor Ernie Welch, and Paul Bannister at the station's official opening(L ro R): DJ Darren G; town mayor Ernie Welch, and Paul Bannister at the station's official opening (Image: Paul Bannister)

Paul, from Middlewich, took early retirement from the ambulance service after he had a brain tumour, and says he ‘couldn’t be happier’ with how things are going. 

He said: “It’s all go. I’ve not been home since last Sunday.

“Engagement so far has been amazing, and all really positive.

“Being on the High Street, we’re perfectly placed. We get a lot of passing traffic, so it’s a great place to be.

“I’m big into my 80s, 90s and noughties tunes, and after a bit of research, I found there wasn’t really a local station for that in this area.

“The word’s really getting around. I was stopped in town the other day, and someone said: ‘You’re that guy who’s set up the radio station down the road, aren’t you?’  

“So something’s working. We’re getting some great feedback.

“We really want the community to get involved. We’ve got the request line and a chat feature on the website so people can contact the studio. Or they can phone in. There're loads of ways to get in touch.

“They can request a song, tell us what they’re up to, anything they like.

“We’ve also got our very own Apple and Google app coming out soon, so that’s another way for people to engage with us.”

Paul explained his journey from paramedic to radio station manager and DJ.

“I had a brain tumour a couple of years ago and I was medically retired, so I’ve been pottering round for a couple of years.

“But last year, my uncle who was a DJ around Crewe, died, and my aunty gave me his equipment.

"I started doing a bit of DJing in pubs and clubs around the country.

"I realised one day how much I was enjoying it, and I thought, I’ll open my own radio station.

“Are here we are.”