Burton Chamber to co-host business segment with local radio

Burton and District Chamber of Commerce is co-hosting The Business Hour on Burton Radio.

Chamber head Richard Brooks joins station hosts Scott Milligan and Tom Drysdale every Monday from 1 to 2 pm for the segment.

The show aims to shed insight on local business developments and acts as a platform for business discussion, helping to connect entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and professionals while reinforcing the important role that business plays in shaping a thriving local economy.

Burton Radio was established in 2019 by Matt Reid, Jordan Whyatt (J-Man), and Tom Berriman. The station has steadily built its presence over the past 12 months which has marked a significant rise in listenership - from 200 to nearly 11,500.

Broadcasting from the Brewhouse Arts Centre, the station offers programming covering sport, politics, comedy, music, LGBTQIA+ issues, culture, and business, alongside special features.

It has also become a supportive space for the neurodivergent community, highlighting its commitment to inclusivity.

Scott Milligan, who has played a major role in the station’s growth as strategic director, said: “The best way to echo all the positive things happening in Burton, whether it’s by community organisations, artists or businesses, is through networking.

“The Burton District Chamber of Commerce is a perfect example of this and Richard Brooks and president Richard Wileman have been incredibly supportive of Burton Radio and, now, the Burton Echo.”

The Burton Echo is a new independent newspaper, soft-launched in February, marking the first such publication in Burton on Trent in 300 years.

With 5,000 free tabloid copies set to hit the streets during the Summer, it aims to provide an alternative voice for local news, business, and culture.

Tom Drysdale said: “I've been genuinely struck by the compassion, hard work, and sheer diversity that thrives in Burton and the surrounding areas.

“The prospect of sharing these inspiring stories with the community through the Burton Echo’s print edition is incredibly exciting, and I'm eagerly anticipating the newspaper's launch during the summer.”

For local businesses looking to raise their profile, Burton Radio offers a cost-effective way to reach engaged audiences. Sponsorship opportunities are available for The Business Hour or the station as a whole, providing a chance to promote your brand and even appear on the show.

Richard Brooks said: “Community radio has always played a key role in giving local voices a platform, and Chamber member Burton Radio is a great example of how this can evolve into something more.

“What sets Burton Radio apart from many traditional online and community stations is its broad mix of content and its strong links with local businesses and organisations.

Pictured from left to right: Tom Drysdale, Steve Downes, Cheryl Morris and Richard Brooks