About Us

Reform Radio is an award winning arts organisation, with a multi-purpose workshop, studio and event space in the heart of Deansgate, Manchester. It uses this space and the engagement of radio and other art forms to involve young adults in high quality creative opportunities; supporting them to develop new skills, wellbeing and sustainable futures. The radio station provides a platform for their voices and creativity and broadcasts the best in music, arts and culture from Manchester to the world.

Reform Radio is an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and Manchester City Cultural Partner, as well as an independent production company, providing in house pathways for the young people it works with, making audio and visual content for a wide range of clients including BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds.

To get in touch, click here and for a potted Reform Radio history, please read below.

Our Story

In 2013, three friends Jemma, Rachel and Sam had an idea of using the rapidly growing online radio scene to engage and work with young people looking for employment. After self-funding a pilot in which five young people created a world class radio show in just a week, they realised they actually needed a radio station to play it on. So, in May 2014 they began broadcasting from the basement of the share house where they met, turning off the loud washing machine above them during broadcasts and enticing DJs to play with hearty home-cooked meals.

Within the space of a year, the interest in artists and DJs wanting to do shows had outgrown the tiny basement and Reform needed a new space to expand into. This is where Reform Radio’s long standing relationship with Allied London began, with the developers offering up Coronation Street’s old dubbing suite in the heart of Old Granada Studios. Reform quickly began broadcasting 24/7 and was able to offer regular employment and training programmes to young people from Allied’s event space. 

By 2018, Allied London’s Enterprise City development was well underway with the studios sadly slated to be part of this work. Keen to keep Reform as part of this new creative community, Allied worked with Reform to secure funding to build an accessible and culturally democratic space in the heart of the city. For this work they won best Business Partnership at the Manchester Culture Awards 2019. Reform’s new space, which thoughtfully accentuates the features of this Grade 1 listed warehouse, the oldest in Manchester, includes two high-end studios, a small cap, live-to-air event space with custom sound installed and modular workshop and office spaces.