HEART 102.3 – formerly 2CR – is leaving its studios in Bournemouth after 30 years in the town, the radio station’s owners have confirmed.

Global Radio said the station, which began life in 1980, is to quit Southcote Road in the next few months and broadcast from Fareham, Hampshire, after that.

The move is part of a regionalisation programme that stems from an Ofcom decision to allow commercial stations to co-locate to save money.

As a result, the Heart network will go from 33 sites across the UK to just 15.

A Global Radio spokesman said some freelance contracts would not be renewed and there would be about 35 redundancies across the UK.

Heart’s staff in Bournemouth are already in single figures and they will be consulted this week about the possibility of redun-dancy or a move to Fareham.

The spokesman said the new programming and presenter line-up would be announced in the next few weeks.

He added: “Global has had to make some brave decisions to protect the future of smaller stations, which are currently loss-making, and maintain its position in a competitive market.

“Global is dedicated to delivering a quality standard of output across the Heart network and is committed to increasing news and making a £7m investment into its 15 centres of broadcasting excellence across the country.”

The new station will be branded Heart South Coast. Bosses say news bulletins would increase from 30 seconds an hour to one minute.