Local Radio Review BBC Trust 180 Great Portland Street London W1W 5QZ [email protected] Monday 12th December 2011 Dear Sir / Madam I have recently been made aware of the proposed cuts to Local and Regional Radio programming. As Chairman and Owner of Wigan Rugby League Club I have invested significant time and effort, both personally and through my staff, into building strong relationships with BBC Radio Manchester, BBC Radio Merseyside and BBC Radio Lancashire. This was undertaken in my strong belief that these Radio Stations are an integral part of the communities that they serve, and that those communities love their sport and expect great content about their sport / Club on non‐commercial radio. I have taken great pride in offering exclusive, and at times unrestricted access to my Club for the local radio stations and their high quality, dedicated Rugby League programmes, something that I hope contributed to the Gold Award which was presented to Radio Manchester’s ‘Rugby League Extra’ programme at the recent Gillard BBC Local Radio Awards. I would hope that the relocation of the BBC to Media City in Salford would provide the springboard to strengthen the Corporations local and regional programming capabilities, not lessen this important medium as have been suggested. Not only does the threat of cuts have an impact on local communities throughout the North West, it also has severe repercussions for the sport of Rugby League. The quality of these programmes and passion of their Presenters, combined with the engagement they offer Rugby League fans and the opportunity to provide a consistent and important communication tool, gives the whole Sport a foundation without which it would struggle to compete against other commercial sports in its heartland areas. This would be devastating to the tens of thousands of people who play, watch, administer and support Rugby League at all levels throughout the Region. The North West is the place for sport. I ask you to please consider the massive negative impact that cutting local and regional specific radio programming will have on the communities that they currently serve with distinction. Yours Faithfully, IAN LENAGAN Chairman & Owner, Wigan Rugby League Club Ltd .