The upgrade started when we began to look seriously at air conditioning for the studio. The temperatures in there were constantly in the low to mid 70's, even higher in summer, a situation not helped by the fact that the studio has no external windows! Not good for the equipment..... and not nice for the presenters either!

We also had to overcome the problem that due to the fact that our external windows and door opens into a vehicle service tunnel, to get any form of guaranteed fresh air we would have to run any air ducting about 50 yards to the end of the tunnel. Not a major problem but obviously it had cost implications!

After much discussion and an awful lot of help and guidance from the works dept engineers ( who had to provide works drawings etc and supply the builders used ) we took the decision to have the following work done:

• Have a fresh air system installed.
• Have a new stud wall built in what was the record library to allow for a production studio.
  This allows for a second on-air studio in the future when funds permit.
• Completely strip and then re-wire studio 1.
• Fit new suspended ceiling with new lighting.

We ceased broadcasting at 10pm on Monday 23rd November. The following evening the complete record library and most of the studio equipment was moved into storage. A few days later the clearance was completed ready for the builders.
The building work started on Monday 30th November and was finished early in January. The studio was then rewired completely, this work was completed late in March. There were a lot of non technical jobs still to be done but depite this we started live programmes again on Tuesday 6th April.