Gorvins advises on sale of independent radio station

Stockport-based law firm Gorvins has advised on the successful sale, for an undisclosed sum, of Imagine FM to Like Holdings and Helius Media as a joint venture.

The station, previously part of the UTV Radio/Wireless Group network, has been locally-owned and operated for the past 10 years by Mondiale Media and located in the famous Strawberry Studios.

It was most recently branded as Imagine FM.

Imagine Radio will be immediately seeking a new home within Stockport, to coincide with expansion and development plans for the station. The new owners are currently recruiting additional sales executives to expand the current team.

New director, Michael Taylor, said: “I would like to thank Mondiale Media for providing Like Holdings and Helius Media with this opportunity.

“We look forward to working with the existing team to implement our exciting plans. It really is exciting times ahead.”

Former Imagine FM chief executive, Paul Taylor, said: “This is exciting news for Stockport, we have had a fantastic 10 years with Imagine and we wish Like Holdings and Helius Media all the very best with their plans for expansion as they continue to ‘fly the flag’ for the town.”

Christian Mancier, corporate partner at Gorvins Solicitors, advised the sellers on the transaction assisted by his team, which included Gemma Lingard and Chloe Murphy.

Christian said: “It has been a pleasure to work with the Imagine FM team over the past 10 years, having worked on the original acquisition of Imagine FM back in 2008.

“I wish Imagine FM every success going forward and look forward to welcoming Like Holdings and Helius Media to Stockport.”

Like Holdings currently operates a number of digital radio services in the Midlands, while Helius Media was registered as a new company last month with Michael Taylor as sole shareholder.

Imagine FM launched as KFM in 1990 after many years as a pirate. It has been known as Signal FM and Signal Cheshire.